Inveraray to the rescue

Challenge 4000, the journey to Gambia

Adventurers about to leave Inveraray for The Gambia delivering a convoy of emergency vehicles are hoping for a good send-off this Sunday.

The team behind Challenge 4000 is inviting people to come and find out more about the project before wishing them Bon Voyage.

The vehicles, along with a fifth leaving from Braemar and rendezvousing with the rest of the convoy in Penrith, are heading for use by the Gambian Fire Rescue Service.

It has taken two years to organise Challenge 4000 and on December 15, the team will be outside Inveraray Jail at 11am for people to ask questions, find out more about the special mission and take photographs of the vehicles before they set off and look out for the jail escapee.

Inveraray Jail and The George Hotel are the two main sponsors backing the epic adventure.

One of the vehicles destined for Gambia is a road rescue unit, fully kitted out with emergency trauma kit, to respond to the huge number of road traffic accidents and fatalities experienced out there.

Another vehicle making the journey will be a large passenger-carrying van that will be used as community transport known as a gilli gilli, available for outings, carrying football teams as well as transporting medical emergencies to hospital.

The plan is to drive the vehicles down to Portsmouth before setting sail and finally arriving in the Gambia at the start of January.

The route will pass through France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senagal before reaching its final destination. To find out more visit challenge4000.co.uk