A 10-day, 1,200 mile drive by AGCO engineer, Richard Moore, across the testing and diverse terrain of southern India has helped raise £300,000 for two specific charities. One is The Rainbow Trust, which provides practical and emotional help to families in the United Kingdom who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. The second is the Adventure Ashram project, an educational and medical charity delivering vital practical aid and health support to remote Indian village communities.
Richard, who works as a technical support specialist within AGCO's service department at Abbey Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, achieved his magnificent fund-raising feat by taking part in the renowned Karma Enduro endurance rally, accompanied by friend and co-driver, Chris Chapman.
Entered in the event as team 'Karma Venture', the two men completed their challenging drive through remote southern Indian towns and villages, rugged mountains, arid deserts and steamy jungles in a 37hp Hindu Ambassador car, a design based on a 1948 British Morris Oxford and supplied new to all rally participants by the Hindustan Motor Company.
Some 100 competitors from around the world took part in the 2008 Karma Enduro event, their entry fees raising a superb total of £300,000, to be divided equally between the two charities. Although still some way short of its own financial target, the Karma Venture team is committed to raising its entire promised £8,500 donation and is continuing to fund-raise via its website www.karmaventure.co.uk and with the help of friends, colleagues and well-wishers.
Among the major sponsors that have supported Richard in his charitable venture are three well-known AGCO brands - Massey Ferguson, a world leader in tractors, farm machinery and grounds care products; AGCO Parts, the driving force providing industry-leading parts support for all AGCO farm machinery brands; and Massey Ferguson 10+ Parts, a specialist parts service for all Massey Ferguson tractors and machinery more than 10 years old. All are based at AGCO's European headquarters at Abbey Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Describing the Karma Enduro rally as the experience of a lifetime, Richard Moore says that it was most rewarding to have taken part in an event that is raising a total of £300,000 for charity.
"As pointed out to us initially by the organisers, the Karma Enduro certainly tested our bodies and minds," he said. "Although the event was equally exhilarating and exhausting, it was also very emotional and humbling meeting and mixing with extremely poor Indian families and children who were invariably friendly, yet asked us for nothing. It is really good to know that our Indian adventure and continuing fund-raising efforts will be helping many needy adults and their children both at home and overseas."
Picture :-AGCO's Richard Moore (right) with co-driver, Chris Chapman, take a break during their epic 10-day charity drive through southern India.
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