Enduro Africa 2007

We are taking part in the charity event known as Enduro Africa in association with Riders for Health, which is a registered charity, which will start in November 2007. Our aim, in doing this event is to help buy 100 bikes, 200cc AG Yamaha or similar, for the health workers in Zimbabwe, and to provide some running costs towards their task of providing access to basic health care.

We have seen how aid has come flooding in but get stuck in depots, because there is little or no way of getting it out to the remote villages that need it. The bikes not only can carry medics and medical supplies but they also have pumps fitted to them so they can access water from dried up wells. If need be they can have side cars fitted to hold casualties on stretchers. They are an all terrain vehicle and can access some of the most challenging and remote villages.

You may have recently read the articles in Motorcycle News on the Riders for Health events that took place in South Africa in Nov 2006, (see enclosed copies). 100 riders of all ages, abilities and backgrounds flew into Africa to ride 2500 Kms off road with minimal backup, having achieved the aim of raising £4500 each in sponsorship which would then pay for one motorcycle, its maintenance and repair for many years to come, as well as rider training for the medical staff who would use this valuable new vehicle after the enduro event..

The Yamaha AG 200 motorcycles are donated by participants and are used to enable trained medical staff to reach remote areas of Africa where they make a life and death difference, Doctors, nurses, Dentists and emergency Surgeons have (after proper rider training) the use of the motorcycle, which are far more cost effective than a four wheel drive purchase at £25 k and their maintenance, and fuel costs. The AG200 has an average off road consumption of 70-80 miles per gallon, a four wheel drive vehicle would do 6-10 mpg only Riders For Health can purchase 8 motorcycles, their fuel and maintain them for many years, compared to one 4-wheeled drive vehicle purchase. The motorcycles are similar to Yamaha serrow 225 and the TW range and their life expectancy is hoped to be over 15 years.

Those of you in the Trade that know about Riders for Health Projects will be familiar with the Day of Champions at Donnington Park and sponsored Enduro Rides in Africa, India and Italy. In fact all over!!! Many celeb’s like Randy Mamola , James Tosesland, Ewan Magregror, strongly support this project as do companies like the Ducati Factory which has been involved for the past six years from financing of projects and raising money in various was such as the charity auctions of memorabilia, at its Bi yearly WDW event in Rimini.

We have a fundraising goal of £4500 each, if you would like any more information or would like to make a donation... No amount too small! Please contact Andrew or Aillie on 01745 822922 and we will be happy to help.

Best Wishes

Andrew Wood & Aillie Hardman