Fate creates a team

Creating a team appeared to be the simple part of the rally. We had our three members set and ready to begin the months of preparation for the adventure of a life time, but then disaster struck and one of the team members dropped out leaving Coups (Anthony Coupland) and I (Mark Agnew) to fend for ourselves. We searched far and wide for a 3rd member, our hopes would be raised and our hearts broken over and over again as the interests of our friends were aroused but the reality of the trip would ultimately result in them refusing a place in our car.

But then, as though destiny had intended it all along an old school mate of mine introduced me to one of his current flat mates, Freddy (Arthur Kerr). One alcohol fuelled night later and we were friends ourselves. A couple of months later as we  driving North from uni for a mutual friends 21st birthday, in passing Freddy mention how much he’d one day like to take part in the Mongol rally. And like that fate had placed our third team member right in front of me.

A troublesome trio was created, now all we need was a name. Ullan Banter was thrown about, but eventually we settled on Rorkes Drifters. But much to our disappointment it needs more explaining than we had anticipated such is the poor state of the public’s knowledge of British History! So, The origin of the name:

Rorkes Drift is a famous battle in South Africa, that I could explain and describe why it is so famous in 1000 words but it is much easier to say: It’s the one in the movie Zulu with Michael Caine. One of the two charities we are doing the rally for is Help for Heroes. What better name for a team that is raising money for soldiers than that of a battle in which the soldiers where so brave that before or since more VC’s have never been given out for a single event. And with the odds against the 100 soldiers against the 10,000 Zulu’s, just like the odds will be against us and our 1 litre car against 10,000 miles that lies between us and our finish line!

Look out for us in our bright red colonial soldiers jackets on the start line.

The team is sorted, now the serious organisation begins.