First team of 'Rickshaw Run' reaches Pondy

Puducherry, Jun 13 (UNI) The first of the 62 teams of the 'Rickshaw Run,' a unique form of 'charitable adventure tourism' organised by UK-based 'The Adventurists,' reached here today.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Organisation's India Manager Niraj Lama here, Event Manager Lamorna Trahair said the 'run' was flagged off from Kathmandu on June 1, 2008, and the first team comprising over 150 participants from 17 countries reached Puducherry, covering 3,500 km.

Ms Trahair said the participants, driving through unchartered territory, had no back up. While some journeyed through Jaipur, some drove down the East Coast in their 147 CC autorickshaws to reach the Union Territory. The remaining teams were expected to reach here by June 15. she said.

Stating that through this event, the organisers were hoping to raise at least 1,00,000 Pounds for international NGOs like 'Frank Water Project,' which is taking up projects in Andhra Pradesh and Mercy Corps, which is working for the tea garden workers in the North of West Bengal and in Assam.

Ms Trahair said that out of the 62 teams three were women's team.

The participants were from Mexico, Thailand, Canada, Australia, Norway and France. She said the Nepal Tourism Board had sponsored the 'Summer Rickshaw Run' and added that the Puducherry Tourism Department would sponsor the 'Winter Rickshaw Run' from Puducherry to Shillong, which would be flagged off on January 1, 2009.

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