1st June 2010

Rhino Charge 2010  held yesterday (Monday 31st May) in the Londuroj Hills, Magadi, Kajiado District, raised a record Kshs72,540,232.   This beats 2007 record of Kshs 68 million by over Kshs 4 million and by far the highest for any Rhino Charge event.
The Charge was won by Team Bundu Fundi (Sean Avery) in Car 38, with a distance of 36.32 kms. The straight line distance was 27.8kms.

Second overall was three time Rhino Charge winner and rally ace Ian Duncan (KTM Cruisers) in Car 2 scoring 37.21kms.
Alan McKittrick’s team, Car 5 won the most prestigious Victor Ludorum trophy - shortest distance to the highest money raised. McKittrick with Nick Hutchinson, John Trundell, Guy Jack, Tim Jessop, Tom Porter raised an all time record for one car of Kshs 10,648,142 million.

In third position was previous four time winner Neil McRae/ Will Carr-Hartley and team in Car 42 with a distance of 37.36kms.

Second highest sponsorship came from a new US entry Car 10 (The Wags) who raised Kshs. 4,081,279 million just beating Hog Charge team Car 35 (Mark Tilbury) which raised Kshs 4,066,163

The Coupe Des Dames trophy went to the all ladies ‘Rhino Rouge’ team Car 17 of Tanya  and Julie Church, Tanya Markham, Helle Sejer –Hansen, Louise Leakey and Gemma Lawrence finished at 18th position covering a distance of 47.53kms.   

Tiger Line 1 and the Gauntlet Award was won by Neil McRae/ Will Carr-Hartley in Car 42 Range Rover Buggy.  

Speaking during the function, the guest of honour Mr. Charles Njonjo Rhino Ark Patron praised the Rhino Charge initiative and called on the Government to recognize and assist the work being done for the conservation of the environment. He congratulated the Rhino Charge management committee for a job well done.

The Rhino Charge raffle to assist the fund raise provided 141 prizes.  The main prize a Kenya Airways return ticket for two to Madagascar was won by Hybrid Poultry from a ticket sold by Car 5. Second prize, a balloon ride with Balloon Safaris , 2 nights for two at Cottars Camp, Mara and 2 return tickets from Safarilink was won by Yara from a ticket sold by Car 2.

The coveted Michael Werikhe perpetual trophy donated by the East African Wildlife Society and selected by the Rhino Charge Committee was awarded to Karui 91 Self Help group, Ngobit Valley, Aberdares. Amongst many conservation activities, this group has planted over 25,000 indigenous trees inside the Aberdare fence.

The award donated by the family of the late Ken Kuhle, the founder of Rhino Ark, was awarded to Jas Sehmi in recognition for his services in the Aberdares and assistance with Rhino Ark’s operations base, Rhino Retreat.

Money raised during the Rhino Charge goes towards the maintenance of the now completed 400km long fence around the Aberdare Conservation Area including the forest reserve and national park spearheaded by Rhino Ark Charitable Trust in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the forest edge communities.

Rhino Ark policy for all Charges is that the camping fees paid by all entrants to the venue are donated to the host area communities. This totaled to Kshs 2.8 million for the Shompole and Olkeri group ranches and to be used for community development projects.

Ends
For further Information please contact :- Colin Church, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, Tel 2136010,  Mobile 0733-632460 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or John Thuo, Church Orr & Associates Ltd  Tel 891133 Nairobi.