(BBC News report link)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7677524.stm
(Sky News Report)
( Message From Charley Boorman)
Enduro Africa saw riders from all walks of life- including me, make the epic 2000km journey off road, down the Eastern Cape of Sth Africa in Oct 2008. But this Year the well established event got even bigger than before, with their Royal Highnesses, Prince William & Prince Harry joining the trip.
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)
( click on Photo to Enlarge)
Riding Honda CRF230s, We got to ride through some of the most breath taking off road routes anywhere in the world. The organizers promised to take us to hell and back- and by the end of it all they had certainly delivered on their promise.
I had to raise a minimum of £ 5000 to enter, with a % of that going direct to Enduro Africa's 3 charities- Sentebale, Unicef & Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund. Due to the extensive fund raising, it became a huge personal challenge to Complete the rally knowing that the money raised is going directly to help the people of Africa.
I received a lot of support and donations from my work colleagues, friends, Family and local business. This would've never been possible without their help, so I would like to take this opportunity to thanks everyone who believed in me but most of all for all the goodness the money raised will give to African Children's.
I managed to raise more money a few hours before the start of our adventure by donating all my hairs, or most of them anyway, as you can see on one of the photos, in exchange for a last donation!
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)
(Silver Team, With Prince William & Prince Harry)
I managed to spend some time riding and joking with the two Princes and all 89 riders during our 10 days trip and we all got on very well. We spent around 8 to 9 hours everyday on our bikes with 1 day off ,where despite not riding our Motorcycles, this turned out to be another massively rewarding day, as we helped out the local community by supporting the local Charity " Touch Africa".
Our task was to transform a local Crèche that was basically a cold, bleak, empty hall into somewhere kids could learn in comfort. With practically everyone, the hall was totally repainted, a climbing frame and swings expertly built and erected from scratch, chairs were fixed and the children were played with and cuddled.
Unfortunately 2 days prior the end of the event, I fell badly from my bike, over the handle bars and crashed very hard on my left hand side resulting of a high energy stress fracture of my collarbone ( clavicle).
The ride of a life time was over for me, but I managed to finish the last few miles of the last day in the back saddle of our team leader and enjoyed the finish line with my team!
Prince William was the first one to find out how I was and joke over my x. ray photo. I am now lying in Guildford general hospital for 2 days waiting to be operating on to repair my shoulder.
Next year, I will be raising more money for a similar motorcycle charity adventure ride, So I am asking for all my readers to help me finding some sponsors to reach my next goal. If you are a motorcycle rider and want to be part of next year challenge, you can contact me via email, bourgoins@hotmail.com.
