The Rotary Club of Demerara yesterday launched its first ever off-road rally; a family oriented fundraising event which is scheduled for next Saturday with special emphasis being placed on off-roader fans.
The rally will commence at 8 am and is a timed drive through four different routes using GPS coordinates and physical maps.
Participants will have to navigate the routes of varying difficulties around the Linden/Soesdyke highway and will be asked to find specific markers or waypoints or to take pictures at some locations.
Prizes will be awarded to the team/individual with most points for each route.
Speaking at the launch, which was held at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday morning, President of the Rotary Club of Demerara Hansraj Singh said that the idea to host the event was one that was bought to the club’s fundraising committee by persons who wish to experience more events of this nature.
“It’s a novelty idea that was bought to the club’s fundraising committee by members and generally from the public who wanted to see this type of activity because there is lots and lots of interest generally right now in Guyana with having all these off road vehicles and bikes and ATVs and so on and not having a coordinated activity to participate in other than visiting those hinterland communities and the safari, etc,” Singh said.
“So that is where this idea was born and so we have put it in a very structured way and hopefully we will using cutting edge technology to make the rally a successfully event. One that is safe, well organised and have value for money with sponsors,” he added.
Singh observed that these type of projects are not possible without access to finance. As such, he said, fundraisers are organised throughout the year to contribute to this cause.
“Like any other organisation in the country, we cannot do these types of project without having access to finances. So other than having donations and so on from the corporate community and obviously, we also have to help ourselves so we do fundraising events throughout the year to help this cause,” Singh highlighted.
The cost for registration per vehicle is $15,000 and $5,000 per motorcycle or ATV.
Singh said the event caters for about 50 to 75 teams. As of Thursday, he said, there were 29 registrations.
The event is scheduled to conclude at 3pm. There will be barbeque and drinks on sale.
Emergency and security measures will also be in place and marshals will be present along the routes in case of any emergency.
All funds raised will go towards helping the less fortunate.
