On the 24th of July this year four intrepid residents of the Okanagan, including one of our own, Al Reid, will set off from Goodwood near London, England bound for Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia as participants in this years Mongol Rally. No small undertaking, this trip will cover some 10,000 miles & include 15 countries, several deserts, mountain passes 15,000 ft high, unbelievably crap or non-existant roads, corrupt officials, wayward camels, bowls of pure botulism masquerading as food, more corrupt officials imposing arbitrary "fines", yaks ( I hope ), & each other as our veneer of civilized personae gets eroded away by the dust & heat & endless travel.

What is the Mongol Rally? The delivery of vehicles across the deserts and mountains of Central Asia to Mongolia, to be sold at the finish, with the proceeds going to charity. This adventure has become an annual event known as the Mongol Rally. It's not a race, nor are there points to be gained or lost – just bragging rights. Everyone who completes the course, especially with a still functional vehicle, is considered a winner. In effect, the whole exercise is like a charity run, but on a monumental scale to raise substantial sums for well established charities both in Mongolia and back home. We are raising money for BC Children's Hospital, Christina Nobel Children's Foundation and Mercy Corps. Additional information about these wonderful charities and our team can be found at the Adventurist and search for "the ambeciles"

Tickets are $30. Includes some wonderful prizes, dinner, 1 beer or glass of wine & a silent auction. 7pm, Friday April 9th. See Al Reid in the Underground Pizza/Bakery or John Mooney for tickets.