2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - The Autoworld team in action at the Gauntlet
Introduction
The setting for the 2019 Fuchs Elephant charge was a stunning mountainous area two hour’s drive to the south east of Lusaka. There is considerable deforestation in the area, which served as a reminder of the true reason why we attend this event each year; to raise money for conservation through education. In fact the organizers of the Elephant charge event chose this site to show all the competitors and spectators the reality of how the Zambian bush is being affected by the rampant charcoal trade.
Although I was excited to be at the Elephant charge again, seeing this sad reality made me realize how vulnerable our forests and wildlife are. It gives me all the more reason to be involved in conservation. Education is so important and the more people are taught to conserve, the better chance we have in saving our beautiful natural resources.
Lots of time and sacrifice go into fund raising by all the teams, and this is very rewarding. People matter and educating people has a very positive impact, not only their own lives, but also on their communities and their environment.
Whenever I have been approached about the Elephant charge, many people tend to be more interested in all the fun that goes on during the race. But I’d like us all to think for a moment about the conservation goal of the event and how this is being achieved.
How are the Elephant charge funds spent each year?
I believe good stewardship gives sponsors the assurance and confidence to continue being supportive of this great cause.
Over the last 12 years the Elephant charge has raised over USD1,000,000 which has all been spent on conservation. This is a great success thanks to the organizing committee and all the participants of the race over the years.
Thanks to all of the Autoworld Sponsors, the “A” Team has been able to raise a total of USD174,786 over 10 years making us one of the top teams for raising funds for conservation in Zambia!
I’d like to give four examples of how part of this $1,000,000 has been spent; most importantly how thousands of people are impacted by these funds. (For a comprehensive list of all the beneficiaries, see here: https://www.elephantcharge.org/beneficiaries,http://conservationzambia.org/)
Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia
Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia has been provided 8 grants by the Elephant Charge totalling $217,935:
$38,900 - Fuchs Elephant Charge 2018
$32,842 - Fuchs Elephant Charge 2017
$18,790 - K2 & Lendor Burton Elephant Charge 2016 - to support 1,001 Chongololo clubs and 40,040 members*
$16,250 - K2 & Mwala Crushing Elephant Charge 2015 - to support 944 Chongololo clubs and 37,760 members*
$20,892 - K2 & Mwala Crushing Elephant Charge 2014 - to support 867 Chongololo clubs and 26,010 members*
$48,435 - Elephant Charge 2013 - to support 500 Chongololo clubs and 17,500 members*
$16,603 - Elephant Charge 2012 - to support 468 Chongololo clubs and 16,380 members*
$25,223 - Elephant Charge 2011 - to support 249 Chongololo clubs and 9,960 members*
*members are young school-going children
2. Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust
Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust teaches Zambian children the value of wildlife and their environment so they may be conserved for present and future generations.
Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust has used funds provided by the Elephant Charge to support the Chipembele Conservation Education Center, outreach programs, the Chipembele Rangers Scheme and Chipembele Conservation Scholarships.
Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust has been provided 8 grants by the Elephant Charge totalling $53,829:
$8,644 - Fuchs Elephant Charge 2018
$7,116 - Fuchs Elephant Charge 2017
$3,300 - K2 & Lendor Burton Elephant Charge 2016 - to support their Conservation Education Outreach Programme which runs conservation clubs in 17 schools each week. The funds also supports a mobile education unit vehicle which is used for conservation education in remote communities in the Mambwe District.
$13,692 - Elephant Charge 2013
$9,733 - Elephant Charge 2012
$5,146 - Elephant Charge 2011
3. Children in the Wilderness
Children in the Wilderness is an environmental and life skills educational programme that focuses on the next generation of rural decision makers. It is one of the few programmes aimed at bridging the divide that exists between communities and wildlife.
It has used funds provided by the Elephant Charge to support the annual Children in the Wilderness camps where children from local communities spend a week staying in a safari lodge and participate in game drives, nature walks and wildlife activities, attend interactive workshops on conservation, environmental management, the geography and geology of the area, culture, HIV/AIDS, nutrition classes and learn the importance of wilderness areas to their communities and their country. Children learn the life skills and values necessary to one day become great leaders and great conservationists.
Children in the Wilderness has been provided 7 grants by the Elephant Charge totalling $43,535:
$2,667 - K2 & Mwala Crushing Elephant Charge 2015
$4,414 - K2 & Mwala Crushing Elephant Charge 2014
$11,736 - Elephant Charge 2013
$7,300 - Elephant Charge 2012
$6,690 - Elephant Charge 2011
$8,729 - Elephant Charge 2009
$2,000 - Elephant Charge 2008
4. Conservation South Luangwa
Conservation South Luangwais a non-profit. community based organization, committed to the conservation of the local wildlife and natural resources of the South Luangwa National Park and surrounding GMAs.
Conservation South Luangwa has used funds provided by the Elephant Charge to support their annual Fun Run Day which promotes conservation in the communities surrounding the South Luangwa National Park and has over 3,000 people attend each year. Funds are also used to support snare removal and anti-poaching patrols.
Conservation South Luangwa has been provided 9 grants by the Elephant Charge totalling $84,067:
$8,644 - Fuchs Elephant Charge 2018
$7,116 - Fuchs Elephant Charge 2017
$4,705 - K2 & Lendor Burton Elephant Charge 2016
$5,417 - K2 & Mwala Crushing Elephant Charge 2015
$6,179 - K2 & Mwala Crushing Elephant Charge 2014
$15,835 - Elephant Charge 2013
$9,733 - Elephant Charge 2012
$10,293 - Elephant Charge 2011
•$16,146 - Elephant Charge 2010
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - All competitors lined up at HQ before captains briefing
The rules of the Elephant charge game
For many years I have explained to all our sponsors the rules and the main focus of the race. A team that can make a route on a course of nine to ten checkpoints in the shortest possible over all distance wins the Castle / Fleming trophy.
The main purpose of the race is to raise funds for conservation. The team that achieves the highest sponsorship wins the most prestigious prize of the event, the Sausage tree trophy.
There is also another award which is related to net distance - the Country Choice Trophy. This is for the shortest net distance (= distance covered less 50cm per 1 USD of sponsorship raised).
The race is full of challenges and of course it would not be complete without the Mark Terken trophy for the team that has the shortest distance over the Gauntlet, the most technical stage of the race.
Autoworld, in conjunction with TJM Australia, sponsor a floating trophy called the AUTOWORLD/ TJM treasure hunt trophy. At each checkpoint a team gets one number of a GPS coordinate. After the team completes all the checkpoints, they will have compiled a complete GPS coordinate leading to a metal peg hidden in the bush around the course. With this peg the team wins a 9500LB TJM winch. In the last few years most teams that have won this winch have donated it back to the Elephant charge and it is auctioned at the prize-giving event.
There are many more prizes that add to the fun of the event and can be viewed here:
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - The first ever Electric 4x4 to enter the Elephant charge. They managed to complete 8 checkpoints
Team Autoworld - Results for 2019
It’s been a long time since the Autoworld team made the finish line. But this year we managed to complete the race in the new car! This made all the hard work and effort so rewarding. The whole team were impressed with the performance of the car. These are the prizes we won:
Castle / Fleming Trophy – Overall distance
Not only did we get to the finish line but we came second in overall distance with a total of 21.27km. The Mud Hogs team came first with an overall distance of 18.27km. In third place was the Camel with 22.20km.
Country Choice - Shortest Net distance
Concerning the Shortest Net distance Award, Team Autoworld came first with a total of -99.3km. In second place was the Chicken Run with a net distance of -63.07km, and in third place was the Camel with a net distance of -49.90km.
Sausage tree Trophy Highest Sponsorship raised
With the overwhelming support of our sponsors, Team Autoworld was very successful to have raised the most funds and took first place, with a total amount of $18,347.00! In second place was the Chicken Run with $13,07.00, and in third place was Lilayi BSI Steel with $11,000.00.
This is really what the Elephant charge is about! A total of $139,193.00 was raised by the 28 teams that participated. Well done to all the teams! Great effort!
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - The end result! Finally!
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - The “A” Team receiving the trophies at the price giving
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - What a celebration to complete the race! Everyone had a smile on their face
For the rest of the results in detail please visit the following link:
https://www.elephantcharge.org/
What’s the plan for 2020?
My goals for 2020 will be to have more of our suppliers come on board the Autoworld team. If this plan comes to pass I can only predict higher funds raised for 2020!
My second goal would be to see the team at the finish line again. What a feeling!
Conclusion
Firstly, I must say a great big thank you to all the sponsors for supporting the Autoworld team. I feel honored to be part of this, having so much support. The entire team is so proud of the new car! It’s reliable and has capabilities to be a winning car soon!
My goal in my last report was to see the team reach the finish line which we did. I also wanted to have the team hit the Jackpot and win the Sausage Tree Trophy which we did. This event was enjoyable and hit our goals is the cherry on the cake!
Thank you again for all those of you who supported us.
Gallery
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - The Autoworld team en route to the Elephant charge Campsite from Lusaka
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - The Gauntlet - The team racing through the gauntlet one of the most technical stages of the event
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - Team support
2019 Fuchs Elephant Charge - Kids cannot get over the win!