Witney News - African Adventure Receives Boost from Witney firm

African Adventure Receives Boost from Witney firm

African Adventure Receives Boost from Witney-based Meech International

A generous financial donation from Witney-based manufacturing firm Meech International has kickstarted the fund-raising campaign for a group of intrepid adventurers looking to undertake a three-month expedition through Africa, including a world-record attempt to run across the Kalahari Desert.

The four university students are undertaking “The African Descent and Trans-Kalahari Expedition' throughout June to September and will be driving their specially modified Land Rover Defender the length of Africa, from Alexandria to Cape Town. Once in the Kalahari, they will then run 645 km across the desert, as a relay. Each team member will run the equivalent of a half marathon every day for eight days. A feat never been attempted before.

The aim of the expedition is to raise money for two worthwhile charities: Help for Heroes, an organization formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts and the Tusk Trust a dynamic UK based African Wildlife Trust, with over 17 years experience of conserving wildlife, promoting education and supporting community development programmes across Africa.

At the handover of the sponsorship money at Meech's headquarters in Witney, Oxfordshire, Chris Francis, Managing Director commented, “We are pleased and proud to sponsor such a worthwhile cause. It is an exciting and brave adventure these boys are undertaking.”

Tim Jackson, a director of the Tusk Trust and Andrew Dent from Help for Heroes were also present to wish the boys well. “Help for Heroes and The Tusk Trust have every admiration for the four boys and are delighted they have chosen our charities as beneficiaries. We wish them a safe and successful journey.”

The team comprises twins Harry and Toby Mossop, Robert Hemms and Alexander Budge. Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/africandescent

Photo from right to left: Chris Francis, Managing Director of Meech; Andrew Dent, Oxfordshire Representative for Help for Heroes; Tim Jackson, Director of Tusk Trust, Harry Mossop, Toby Mossop, Robert Hemms and Alexander Budge.