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25/05/2005

A quick update on progress, our participation in the rally was looking a little doubtful, I had a business to move and Becky has been finishing off her pHd so we have both been pretty stressed and have had no time to devote to organising the trip. However the pHd is now finished, the business is moved so we have nothing to worry about now, except organising a 8000 mile journey...

We've hopefully now secured another business to sponsor us and also a local sign company who are going to 'stickerise' our van for us, I'va also bought Chug II, altough at the moment he is in Norwich, I'll hopefully be picking him up on Friday.

I think some of my enthusiasm for the trip is coming back now, it's a shame we now only have 2 months to organise all the Visa's and a lot of sponsorship money, but it will be fun...

15/04/2005

We've made it into the local paper, so hopefully that's some good pubilicity.
You can read the online version here.

Heading down to London tomorrow for the pre rally meet, really looking forwards to meeting up with people, it's a shame we don't have a vehicle to go down in, but hopefully someone from Caerphilly has an old Rascal just waiting for us to collect.

Update 12/04/2005

I've spent most of this afternoon updating the website, oops no work again. Lis, a reporter from the Caerphilly Campaign interviewed me and Becky last night and we've been told we're going to be front page news! If we are then that is fantastic, I'm once again feeling a bit more enthusiastic about our hopes for doing the rally this year, we may need a new van, but I'm sure we will be able to go.

Steve

Latest News 06/04/2005

Chug is dead! He's been crushed by the environment agency after he was stolen and pushed into the river. Our press release is below, hopefully we can get some extra help and will still be able to take part in the rally.

For Immediate Publication

Rascals put brakes on Charity Drive.

A Machen couple were devastated today to find that their Rascal Van has been stolen and pushed into the river Rhymney. The couple were planning on taking part in this year’s Mongol Rally, a charity event raising money for Send a Cow and Save the Children.

The van had been purchased with the couples own money and they were in the process of preparing the vehicle for the journey across some of the worlds most inhospitable terrain. Unfortunately the van has now been destroyed and the pair are unsure if they will be able to take part in this years event

“We were hoping to raise at least £5000 to help people in Africa and Mongolia who have very little, the selfishness of the idiots who stole our van means that these poor people may suffer even more” said rallyer Steve Aicheler.

The van was stolen on the 1st of April and was recovered from the river Rhymney in Machen by the Environment Agency to prevent polution into the river. Subsequently the Van, a 1992 Bedford Rascal, has now been crushed. The Police feel it is unlikely that the culprits will be found.

The Mongol Rally, now in it’s second year has been described as “The Greatest Adventure in the World”. Over 50 cars, all with engines of less than 1ltr will attempt to drive from London to Ulan Bataar in Mongolia, a journey of over 8000 miles across 2 deserts, 5 mountain ranges and on roads ranging from bad to non-existant. The aim of the rally is to raise money for Send a Cow, a Bath based charity that enables poor farmers in Africa to become self-reliant by providing them with livestock, training and advice. They work with some of the most vulnerable groups in Africa, including children orphaned by war, families affected by AIDS, and disabled people. Poor children in Mongolia will also benefit through a donation to Save the Children’s mongolian projects.

The couple still hope to take part in this years rally, departing on the 30th July and appeal to anyone who can help with either a van or sponsorship to get in touch.

Further information.

www.vantastics.co.uk
www.mongolrally.co.uk
www.sendacow.org.uk

Steve Aicheler
Work 08707 20 20 01, Mobile 07958968354, Home 01633 440 607.