‘Rhinos’ charge through Slindon woods

More than 200 people came out to support the first Rhino Charge event at the Slindon Safari 4x4 Driving Centre, off Shellbridge Road. The day was supporting Kenyan conservation charity Rhino Ark and saw 12 teams racing through to woods in their 4x4 vehicles taking on a range of muddy challenges. John Bowden, event organiser, said he was pleased with how things went on the day, with more than £6,500 being raised for the conservation cause. He said: “This was the first time we held the event in Slindon and it really did prove ideal. “The competitors all loved it. There were lots of smiling faces and happy people joining in with the fun.” The 4x4 challenge attracted teams from far and wide across the UK, with competitors from Cambridge, Leicester and Birmingham joining the event. “We have a pretty loyal following of people – most of them who are very keen on their conservation of animal habitats in Kenya – join us,” Mr Bowden said. However, it wasn’t just the loyal legions who joined the action. There were a number of new faces at the event, too, including Stephen Whittle, 54, of Goldcrest Avenue, Wick, and nephew Leigh Whittle, 30, of Baldwin Close, in Middleton-on-Sea. Stephen, whose team raised £436, wished to thank all his sponsors. He said: “It was a fantastic day all for a good cause. It was really great fun and we will definitely be coming back if they hold it next year.” Mr Bowden added: “It was really good to see some new faces joining the event.” Rhino Ark is a charity that continues to work to protect Kenya’s endangered wildlife, their precious mountain ecosystems and local communities. The money from the UK Rhino Charge 2014 in Slindon, will go towards funding Rhino Ark’s 400k electric fence around the Aberdares National Park. The fence is designed to protect both wildlife from poachers and local Kenyans from dangerous animals. The project has the support of the Kenyan Government, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Kenya’s own Rhino Charge this year raised more than £700,000. For more details on Rhino Ark, see here.