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Press Release: For Immediate Release – 25th Feb, 2020
Challenge arrives in Delhi; one Leg remaining
• Trans-India Challenge reaches Delhi after 2,200 miles (3,540 km) of Indian roads
• Team visits Goonj HQ and distribution centres
• One leg of Challenge remaining to Mumbai.
The Trans-India Challenge Morgan 3-Wheeler, “Queen Bee”, arrived in Delhi at the end of the 930 mile (1500km) Third Leg from Kolkata, having completed some 2,200 miles in total and with just one Leg of the Challenge now remaining.
Despite some challenging driving through congested villages and towns around Bodh Gaya and Patna, the team is only one day behind the original schedule, after Queen Bee suffered a major technical problem at the end of Leg One, forcing repairs and an extended stopover in Kolkata.
The car also required further work after a fuel pump failed just before arrival in Agra, with the PureQuest support team and Agra-based mechanics solving the problem using locally-sourced parts.
Continuing to attract attention wherever she goes, Queen Bee buzzed in to Varanassi, where the Challenge team spent time at the River Ganges and witnessed the evening Poojah ceremony. Then it was back on the road to Lucknow, Agra and the Taj Mahal, before arriving in the Capital to a warm welcome from Non Profit organisation, Goonj.
The 3,500 mile (5,600 km), 34-day Challenge aims to raise £200,000 (1.8 crore rupees) for the Indian-based organisation, with the total amount pledged by individuals – along with supporters Ralph Lauren, Morgan Motor Company, World Wise Foods, Bearing Point, E-Cargo Bikes and the UK’s GREAT brand – now topping £75,000 (92 lakh rupees). Those wishing to support the Challenge can visit www.transindiachallenge.com or the GiveAsia website.
The Challenge’s main drivers, husband and wife Pat and Alan Braithwaite from the UK, along with their support team, will visit Goonj’s Delhi Processing Centre on Wednesday 26th February and again on Thursday 27th. They will also spend time with the organisation’s Co-Founders, Anshu and Meenakshi Gupta and their senior team.
On arrival in Delhi, Alan Braithwaite said: “We are delighted to have completed Leg Three safely, despite another mechanical drama. Although the traffic conditions have been very challenging at times, the quality of the roads has been significantly better, allowing us to cover greater distances. In this instance, fuel quality was the root of the problem.”
He continued: “With one Leg of the Challenge remaining, we are going to make the most of our time here in Delhi to view the centre of Goonj’s operations and meet with Anshu, Meenakshi and the team, as well as other partner NGOs. We feel that the visits to Goonj field projects during the journey has given us a real insight into Goonj’s work and the massive difference it is making to rural communities through its highly collaborative approach and use of urban discard as ‘currency’ to repay individual effort.”
In response, Anshu Gupta, Founder Goonj commented, “This is the first time a challenge of this pan India magnitude has been taken up for raising funds for Goonj. We are really inspired by the courage and vision of Alan and Pat to take up this tough journey to highlight the work of Goonj. We hope that they are able to finish the challenge with no further difficulties and keep good health throughout the challenge.”
Meenakshi Gupta added: “Trans India Challenge has been a big learning and inspiration for all of us at Goonj. Thank you to Alan and Pat for their faith in Goonj’s work and congratulations to their team for executing it so well. We look forward to receiving them in Delhi, interacting with them and hearing their reflections from visits to Goonj’s work across the country.”
– Ends –
For further information, or to arrange an interview with Alan and Pat Braithwaite, contact the Trans-India Challenge media office:
Peter Brill(India media) +91 8291 260957or Amanda Campbell (global media) +44 (0)7881 387572), or contact media@transindiachallenge.com
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Representatives of all media outlets are invited to attend either or both Goonj site visits by the Trans-India Challenge Team at 16.00 on Wednesday 26th and 15.00 on Thursday 27th team at the following location:
Processing Center Address: Goonj Processing Center, Madan Pur Khadar, Near Sunder Public School, New Delhi. Nearest Landmark: Please take the road along GD Goenka School & Jal Board, Sarita Vihar. For directions, refer to – Directions for Goonj processing center.
Images and video clips are available by visiting: www.transindiachallenge.com/media/
To contribute visit https://goonj.give.asia/campaign/the-trans-india-challenge-4699
To follow the Trans-India Challenge on social media see:
Facebook: @transindiachallenge
Twitter: @TransIndiaChal
Instagram: @transindiachallenge
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trans-india-challenge
Web: http://www.transindiachallenge.com
