The Return of the Safe in Sussex’s Tuk Tuk Travellers

On Wednesday, 14th June the Tuk Tuk adventurers landed back on British soil. Helen Hitchcock, one of Safe in Sussex’s patrons and her team of adventurers took on 1100 kms across India in their Tuk Tuks in aid of Safe in Sussex.

The teams on the Deccan Odyssey, were Team Mowgli Helen Hitchcock and Sarah Hand, Team Duk Duks , Amanda Duke and son Tom, Team Chuggabug Anna Tidey and Yas Rajeebally, Team Tatum Deb and Daughter Emma Tatum.. They drove from the sandy beaches of the Arabian Seas, through the mountains of the Western Ghats down to the busy city of Mumbai in their Tuk Tuks. Helen Hitchcock, owner of Sakala, a gift shop in Steyning which sells ethically sourced items from India said “What a blast, fantastic and teamwork, we started as 8 individuals and came back as 1 team… Everyone brings a different skill and we function as 1. Our little bugs caused a stir through the villages and on the highways of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. It was tiring, dusty, but exciting, challenging and just overall amazing. But most of all we have raised awareness of the issues around Domestic Abuse generally and specifically in Sussex. Our total so far £17,000...!”

The organisers give out awards every year… Team Sakala (which was all 8 of them) won the Charity award, and for winning all the other teams donated to our just giving page, which was fabulous.

The adventures have had Sponsorship from Tatum Racing, Arundel Care Services, Arri, Visual impact VI Rental, Anton Bauer, Chandler Kent, Private Wealth Mortgages, Goldings Barn Garage, Steyning Post Office, Tuk Tuk Shop, Sakala and 24-7 Drama and the public have been very supportive.

To celebrate the return of the Tuk Tuk Adventurers a colourful Shocking Shirts and Funky

Frocks Garden Party on Sunday, 25th June at Sussex Prairie Garden, Henfield. As well as the beautiful garden to enjoy, there will be live folk music, Indian goodies to buy and a tombola. Shocking Shirts & Funky Frocks - The Indian Finale- for Safe in Sussex - Sussex Prairie Garden (sussexprairies.co.uk)

Sharon Howard, Safe in Sussex’s CEO said “Wow, what a phenomenal achievement for Team Sakala. We are delighted the amount raised will enable us to refurbish the garden at one of our refuges, this will create a nicer space for children to play and we can now buy two desperately needed for the refuges too. We are incredibly grateful to Helen and her team for completing the challenge and raising much needed funds for our charity”

If you want to support this group of adventurers Helen Hitchcock is fundraising for Safe in Sussex (justgiving.com)

Or if you want to get involved in any other way, please contact fundraising@safeinsussex.org.uk