The Objective

2011 Rally4Life...

Our entry will be in 2011.  Our start is today!

One of the largest traveling carnivals in the world is how some competitors describe what is known as The DAKAR Rally.

For Mark and Jackie, it provides the anchor for a viral/grassroots marketing campaign aimed at raising
$4 million for two charities, Fe Viva (FeViva.org) located in the Okanagan in Canada's British Columbia and Just A Drop (justadrop.org) located in the UK.

The two selected charities run efficient and desperately needed programs in countries like Nicaragua, Sudan, Equador and other countries in desperate need of sanitation, support and guidance.

In a recent "recce" trip to Africa, Mark rode a motor bike through a village where 150 babies had been lost to dysentery in a 4 week period. "This is such a simple problem to fix" states Jennings-Bates, adding "for just a few dollars per person, organisations like Fe Viva and Just a Drop can provide enough clean water for the life of that baby, it means that every person can make a difference"

In order to be successful, Mark, Jackie and their team of supporters and volunteers need to reach 200,000 people in a viral campaign that will ensure the success of their fundraising objectives.

Canada has been represented in the DAKAR by a few Canadian bike riders, the first of which to finish was Lawrence Hacking. This will be the first time ever that a Canadian has entered a car in this prestigious event.

The event covers a total distance of 10,000km in some of the harshest environments a person could travel through. Success is designed not to be guaranteed. The organisers purposefully plan the routes, the long days and arduous driver meetings to mentally and physically defeat you. Only 30% of the typical 500 plus entrants make it to the finish line.

In order to develop a culture of "pushing to the limit" Mark and Jackie felt it was important to "push to the limit" for worthy causes and do something for a change in communities that desperately need our help.

Join us if you will on this important endeavour.