A rough one million for cancer
The annual Rough n Tough Rally hosted by the Baard family over the weekend raised in excess of N$1 million to the benefit of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).The 3-day rally challenge is undertaken annually through Damaraland and this year kicked off on Thursday, 18 May 2023 and traversed offbeat tracks, mountain trails and riverbeds through Omajete Village and up towards Khorixas where the rally ended at the Madisa Camp on Saturday evening.
A total of 280 participants, 78 rally cars and 35 back-up vehicles participated (including a team from CAN and additional media crew) and completed the 1 000 kilometre trek over three days.
“A community of classic and off-road car lovers, adventurers and high-spirited enthusiasts who lived their passion this weekend and paid it forward to help others – this is the beautiful story of Rough n Tough,” said Rolf Hansen, CAN chief executive.
The rally was initiated by Philipie Baard some six years ago in reaction to his quest to create an adventure experience for car lovers while giving something back to the community. What started out with a list of possible participants, soon turned into one of the adventure highlights of Namibia off-road enthusiasts.
Cars must be older than 30 years and participants must have a serious sense of adventure, while all are challenged to raise funds through their networks and family towards the Cancer Association of Namibia.
Previous donations were used in support of the National Cancer Outreach Programme and Patient Financial Assistance Programme of the organisations, while all funds raised through the 2023 event will be used to assist the establishment of the new palliative care unit currently under construction by CAN.