F & H Promotions is again organising an extra-ordinary event this year. The Kunene to Cape Town Charity Challenge will give 15 Namibian motorcycle enthusiasts a chance to prove their mettle. A weeklong ride from the Kunene River to Cape Town mainly on gravel roads to raise funds for Namibian charity organisations is their new project. The group consists of business people, engineers and medical doctors, who each year take a few days off to enjoy a ride to new destinations. For 2003, a long trip of 2 970 km was chosen with the purpose to plough back to the community and generate funds through sponsorships for charity.

All 15 participating motor cycle riders already forfeited their entry fees of N$ 1500.00 each to Round Table, which will control as well as distribute the funds to the relevant organisations.

The trip will kick off on Monday, 28 April 2003 at Ruacana through Opuwo and Sesfontein in the remote Kaokoland past Twyfelfontein, Brandberg West Mine to Cape Cross and Walvis Bay. The route continues through the famous Namib Desert via the Kuiseb Canyon, Soiltaire and Sesriem Canyon past Duwisib Castle to the mysterious Tiras Mountains to Goageb, a railway station between Aus and Keetmanshoop. From there, the group of 15 will tackle the barren landscapes of southern Namibia past Rosh Pinah, ending in the diamond town of Oranjemund. Across the Orange River, the bikers brave the harsh environment of the West Coast in South Africa from Port Nolloth to Hondeklip Bay, Komkans, Doringbaai, Velddrif, and Saldanha until the final destination, Cape Town, which they will reach on Tuesday, 6 May 2003.

"Each year we do a special project. This year will be a big challenge for us," says Fritz Kaufmann of F&H Promotions and one of the organisers. "Most of us have BMW R 1150’s, ideal motor cycles for enduring trips on gravel roads. Their joint value is about N$ 2 million."

Total costs were calculated at N$ 91 500.00, including fuel, logistics, ground support, meals and accommodation. "We already managed to raise most of the funds needed through sponsorships of leading companies like Shell Namibia, who are sponsoring the fuel. MTC, First National Bank and Namibia Breweries through their Pepsi brand are the other mains sponsors," says Kaufmann. SWA Safaris will transport the motorcyclists to Ruacana, starting point of the tour. SOS International will cover the riders throughout the 2970 km trip.

Companies can help raise money for charity by sponsoring each motorcyclist per kilometre. Riders will ask for donations along the route and in towns they pass.

During a branding ceremony heldrecently, the sponsorships were officially handed over to F&H Promotions. At the same time the N $ 22, 500.00 entry fees were handed over to Mr Stephan Leicher of the Round Table. The donation will go towards a bone marrow registry in Namibia to find ideal bone marrow donors for leukaemia patients.

Further en inquiries about the project can be made to Jo-Anne Fouché at F&H Promotions, tel. 061-227 882 or 0811-278712.

Issued for and on behalf of F&H Promotions – 2 April 2003

By Brigitte Weidlich

(0811-282089)