Alex White | 27.10.2008 | 13:48
My name is Sheila Jack and I am PA to the Principal of Meldreth Manor, a Scope school for disabled students with complex care and learning support needs.
On 1 November, I will be leaving for India to take part in Scope’s India: Rajasthan Motorcycle Challenge. Around 20 of us will be riding Enfield Bullet motorcycles 1,000 miles across Rajasthan from Delhi to the Taj Mahal to raise funds for Scope. I will be a pillion on the trip along with my partner, Mike.
When Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman prepared for their trips they had an office and a team of staff. Pampered film stars, I thought. Huge BBC budget. Now I understand why...
The first task was to look for sponsorship. Our target was £5,500 and I’m pleased to say we will exceed that, but it was by no means easy. Friends, family, colleagues and many others sponsored us. We sent press releases to the local newspapers, organised raffles, auctions and tombolas. We attended bike shows and school events. So many people helped us I can’t begin to thank them all. The support we received from the biking community was nothing short of amazing – racers donated signed memorabilia, companies donated vouchers or products and even Ewan and Charley themselves signed a book. Money is still coming in and our last planned event is a Christmas Turkey Raffle courtesy of our local butcher.
Then there was the question of kit. We both ride, so have our own gear, but everything we wear in this country is designed to keep out the cold. What should we wear in 30°+ heat? And how do you keep comfortable for that distance on a classic bike designed in the 50’s? Somebody helped us with an answer to every question. I am particularly grateful to the two ladies who run our local bike wear shop and who have ensured that I will not only be comfortable on the trip but stylish – even organising the rush delivery of a very special pair of trousers from Australia for me (watch out for the photos later!)
Add to this we had to sort out the insurance, the visas, the immunisations (Hepatitis, Typhoid, Tetanus, Cholera) and now finally, the packing.
All going well, we leave on Saturday and will be in Delhi the following morning. We will be travelling light and through rural areas, so internet access will be difficult. My packing list includes a pen and paper though, so look out for blog updates on our return...
In the meantime, fundraising continues, so if you would like to sponsor us please take a look at our fundraising page - www.justgiving.com/whichwaynow
If any of you are concerned about the recent adverse press comments regarding challenges like these I can confirm that, yes, we paid for all our own costs on this trip and bought all our own kit. Hopefully it will turn out to be quite a jaunt, but it is one we have worked hard and paid for!
