Welcome to our site!

Tyrefort to Timbuktu trip. What started as a ‘little run’ in 2009 to support communities in Mali, Western Africa rather snowballed into donating vehicles and spare parts alongside medical equipment, educational support materials and comfort equipment for schools, orphanages and medical clinics to a range of charities in Gambia, Ghana and Mali.

On the 2nd January 2009 we set off from Goodyear's Tyrefort in Birmingham and over the next 4 weeks travelled down through Europe and West Africa, finishing our journey in Ghana.

Our crew members included mechanics, photographers and medics, and between us all there was plenty of 4x4 driving experience!

We raised over £150,000 in equipment, cars, and medical supplies all of which got to their recipients sucessfully. We left all 8 cars behind as, thankfully, they all completed the journey.

The charities we have helped are overwhelmed by our success, so much so that we have been asked to arrange a second outing in 2010.

Departing January 2010

We already have 1 Discovery, 4 Defender 110s and a Defender 110 Ambulance as donation vehicles, in addition to our 130 Land Rover which is being fitted out as a mobile kitchen and support vehicle. This vehicle has travelled with us to all the Major shows that we have attended this year and is a magnet to many of our wonderful supporters and sponsors. Each of which we thank for their kind cash gifts and pledges.

Sightsavers International charity have been so impressed with our efforts that they have invited us to their conference in Brighton to receive a special thanks from them.

Tonbridge School in Kent, where volunteers Steven & Caroline work, has donated a tremendous amount of new sports clothing. They are currently running a football boot appeal also. These items will be gifted along with other educational supplies to the school near Bolgatanga, Northern Ghana.

Village by Village have already provide uniforms, books, bags and shoes for 30 of the poorest kids to enable them to go to school.
In January 2010 Caroline & Steve are due to meet with the Headmaster in Bolgatanga and shall establish links between them and Tonbridge School going forward.

We are also continuing to work with Sabre Charitable Trust, and are frequently sending things out to help them with their cause. A special thanks to our crew member Carol Warnock and the students of Weydon School for their contributions.

In Burkina Faso we plan to make a stop at a disabled cooperative at Sabou, near the capital Ouagadougou to deliver a donation of hand tools and other supplies to a group of talented and dedicated individuals who so impressed us on our unscheduled visit in January 2009.

During 2009 we will be attending the following shows where you can come along, see some of our vehicles and equipment and also find out more about us and what we have planned for our next trip. Come meet us at:

• Gaydon Heritage Run
• Drifield 4x4 Show
• The Royal Highland Show
• Garforth, Leeds
• Billing LRO Show
• War and Peace Show, Beltring
• Bakewell Show, Derbyshire.(with Goodyear)
• Peterborough Land Rover Show
• London 2 Brighton Land Rover Run
• Ploughing Match, at Soham, Norfolk, sponsored by Goodyear

We would like to thank all those people that have taken time to come along to the shows and evening events to support our charity drive fundraising efforts. Together we do make a difference.

If you'd like to contact us about any aspect of our trip, please ring 07980 743691 or email glen@glenmckeith4x4.co.uk.