Police, others smile -As Plymouth Banjul Challenge donates vehicles

As part of its commitment to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country, the Plymouth Banjul Challenge last Tuesday donated two ambulances to the Gambia Police Force and the Gambia Red Cross Society and a Land Rover vehicle to the Afikaada Teeth Saners, to enable them to maximise efficiency in their respective operations.

The vehicles were presented to the beneficiaries at the Arab Gambia Islamic Bank premises in Banjul. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mamour Jagne of AGIB said that his bank has been associated with the Plymouth Banjul Challenge since its inception some eight years ago. “We have been providing assistance to the challenge both in terms of finance and logistics and we are proud to be associated with them,” he said. He described the challenge as successful, as the volunteers do not only struggle to arrive in The Gambia, but the products of the challenge has always been utilised for the benefit of the communities, which in turn complements government’s development efforts. He disclosed that the proceeds from the auction of the Challenge vehicle are collected by AGIB and disburse to fund community-based projects.

The chairman of the Challenge’s cordinating group, George Gomez, expressed delight about the gesture. He said that the Plymouth Banjul Challenge is geared towards supporting community based projects, adding that one cannot talk about social development without including the police and Red Cross. He also spoke about how the vehicles can be use for humanitarian purposes.

For her part, Gerry Michel, directoress of the Plymouth Banjul Challenge, spoke at length on the significance of the Challenge and the rigorous trials volunteers experience before reaching The Gambia. Gerry Michel said that it is difficult to transport ambulances to The Gambia via Morocco as the Moroccan authorities often deny entrance of such humanitarian goods to The Gambia. “Despite all these, the courage and determination enabled us to arrive in The Gambia,” she said.

The beneficiaries, on their part, thanked the donor for the gesture and promised that the vehicles will be put to good use. The Plymouth Banjul Challenge is a charitable organisation working together with the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET) and the National Olympic Committee in order to fund youth development and community-based projects through the proceeds of the popular car auction that has been taking place since 2003.