Setting off from London on July 23, they hope to cross two seas, five mountain ranges and three deserts, all this in a one litre, 2002 Suzuki Swift.
Mark comments, “This is an approximate 10,500 mile drive of adventuring bliss through countries we can barely pronounce, where at times, we already realise, roads are non-existent.We are basically hurling ourselves at third of the earth's surface and seeing what happens.
“Armed with only some spare tyres, a jerry can of petrol and a compass, we hope to raise a hefty sum of money for two outstanding charities:
“Omagh Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, which helps under-privileged and exploited children living in Mongolia.”
To make all this possible they have been looking for business sponsors by offering the opportunity to have their business logo on their website and car,(Suzie) which will be driven through 18 countries across Europe and Asia.
On Friday last, June 24, Ulster TV filmed Mark and Matt for a feature on their excellent adventure They are the only participants from Northern Ireland, with the rest of the 300 teams coming from all over the world.
As an award-winning journalist with the Ulster Herald, Mark will be keeping all readers updated with regular blogs and articles, and photographs from the road.
Sponsorship will both assist with petrol costs throughout this considerable journey and also contribute greatly to the two named charities, for whom Mark and Matt have already raised approximately £2,500.
You can email Mark at m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com or anywhichwaywekhan@gmail.com.
If you wish to make a donation, cheques can be made payable to ‘Any Which Way We Khan’ and posted to Mark McKelvey at 9 Birchwood, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT79 7RA.
“With all the odds stacked against us - and with no support teams - we can only hope we make it to the finish line in Ulaanbaatar, and with your support, we may just last the distance”, said Mark.
This is not Mark's first major fund-raiser. He won an award as Northern Ireland weekly Journalist of the Year in 2008/09 for starting a campaign in the paper that raised almost £250,000 to take a local toddler Billy Caldwell who had been given only six months to live to Chicago where he received a more positive diagnosis. Billy is now about to celebrate his sixth birthday in July.
The Route
Omagh - England, to the start line at Goodwood, July 23. After that its, England - France -
Belgium - Germany - Czech Republic - Austria - Slovakia - Hungary - Romania - Bulgaria - Turkey - Iraq - Iran - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kazakhstan - Russia - Mongolia.
RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION
In Omagh the RDA operate six days a week for over 150 riders providing daily therapeutic rides for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. With the growing number of clients and volunteers the RDA is currently running a fund-raising project - the 'Raise the Roof' campaign – to raise money to extend the premises to provide permanent stables for
the ponies as well as cover the outdoor arena to make more use of it. It is a volunteer run charity so through their Mongol Rally excursion Matt and Mark hope to be able to significantly contribute to the excellent work taking place.
THE CHRISTINA NOBLE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
The Christina Noble Children's Foundation is an International Partnership of people dedicated to serving underprivileged children with the hope of helping each child maximize their life potential. Their programmes in Vietnam and Mongolia seek to protect children at risk of economic and sexual exploitation, while ensuring these and other children in
need have access to basic care and educational opportunities.The programmes include: emergency and longterm medical care, nutritional rehabilitation, educational and vocational training and job placement. This is accomplished within the context of the family and
the community whenever possible, and always with love and respect for the dignity of each child as an individual.
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