We have loved following the ‘Buggin’ Off’ team’s journey on the Mongol Rally!

In 41 days, Andy, Henry and Ollie completed the race. They drove 10,315 miles across an array of difficult landscapes and – at times – horrendous roads, all in a tiny Nissan Micra!

‘We decided to fundraise for SolarAid because the three of us all come from an environmental background and so strongly support the stellar work of SolarAid in making solar power accessible and affordable to many more people, thereby utilising an incredibly useful renewable energy source in areas with plenty of sun!’ – Ollie Kemsley

The journey was filled with adventures. The most difficult leg of the race was crossing the Karakum desert in Northern Turkmenistan. Averaging less than 10 miles per hour on the pot-holed roads. ‘We were in constant fear we would get stuck in a pot-hole or damage the underneath of our car at any moment and break-down’, says Ollie Kemsley.

In a remote part of Mongolia, about 150km from the nearest town, they got help from construction workers when the rear axle on another team’s car broke down. The site workers went above and beyond in helping to repair the car and the team ended up giving away 12 solar lights they had brought with them!

This is such a lovely story about how 12 solar lights are now shining in Mongolia and how 10,315 miles in a tiny Nissan Micra can convert into light in the evening for families living without electricity, into clean, renewable energy and into study hours after the sun has set. Team Buggin Off’s fundraising page will be open for the rest of the year, so it’s not too late to contribute!