SBD engineer prepares for epic adventure
Security engineer Graeme Acott will be absent from his desk at SBD this summer as he embarks on an adventure drive that will take him 10,000 miles across Europe and Asia to the heart of Mongolia, raising valuable funds for charities along the way. Graeme, a vehicle security specialist based at SBD’s headquarters in Cosgrove, near Milton Keynes, has signed up for the 2007 Mongol Rally, competing in a humble hatchback bought for less than £250 on ebay. Graeme and his Mongogolia team-mate Shaun Mallone have been busy modifying their 22-year-old Nissan Micra to prepare for the extreme temperatures and rough terrain they will encounter en route to the finish line at Ulaanbataar. The car, christened Beige in honour of its 1980s colour scheme, could not strike more of a contrast with the sophisticated modern vehicles Graeme assesses in the course of his work with SBD.
Graeme is no stranger to adventure pursuits and has successfully combined his daredevil spirit with fund-raising to help good causes. He is a veteran of three gruelling Mencap National Motorcycle Rallies, supporting the learning disability charity.
Starting from Hyde Park on 21 July, the Mongol Rally will take the teams across seven mountain ranges and three deserts in around three weeks. As well as the natural hazards, competitors will also have to be on their guard against bandits. And to ensure no one has a power advantage, engines are limited to just one litre in size.
The rally is not just about endurance, it will raise funds for a series of charities supporting children and families in Mongolia and disadvantaged communities in countries along the route. The principle organisation to benefit is Mercy Corps Mongolia, with Hopes and Homes for Children, which works extensively in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics, also benefiting as an official rally charity.
“Although my work with SBD involves cutting edge technologies, I have always enjoyed back-to-basics pursuits,” said Graeme. “I love adventure and will put up with a fair amount of hardship, but quite how much there will be on the drive to Mongolia remains to be seen. Knowing that if we succeed we will be doing even more for the good causes will be an encouragement when the going gets tough.”
David Bell, SBD Managing Director, added: “We are all full of admiration for Graeme’s pioneering spirit and his great response to the rally’s fund-raising ambitions. We wish him and Shaun the very best of luck and hope they succeed, both in making it to the finishing line and in gaining a bumper sum in sponsorship.”
Anyone interested in giving support, or to find out more about Graeme’s Mongol Rally campaign can visit the Mongogolia web site and download an information pack at mongogolia.com , or email chuck@mongogolia.com.
