Sean Curnow: Welcome to the second update for the UAE Charity Challenge Team.

CHARITY

During the month of February, I accepted an invitation from the Dubai Centre for Special Needs to tour there centre. The PR Coordinator (Delhna Cama) generously gave up 2 hours of her time to show me through the four wings that make up the DCSN. It was a really positive experience as we toured the centre and had an opportunity to meet the students and see the great work the DCSN is doing to improve the lives of these special residents of the UAE. (see the pictures in the Gallery page)

The whole of the UAE Charity Challenge Team will be visiting the Dubai Center for Special Needs during the month of March to remind ourselves exactly what we are working towards.

We are still in the process of reviewing charity organisations in Uganda and plan to make an announcement in the near future.

TRAINING

Training for the UAE CC team members during the month of February was limited due to individual work commitments and annual leave.

Jonathan is back having recovered from the ‘minor’ injury he sustained 3 months ago whilst riding the Enduro (Route 6) for the first time. The UAE CC team got out into the desert to do a training run and also get some footage with our newly purchased helmet camera. It was a learning experience getting the setup right and adjusting the mounting to minimize vibration. We plan to upload some live footage to the Website during the month of March so that you can experience what it is like to ride in the deserts of the UAE from the comfort of your living room.

The second of the DMX Baja Challenge Races for 2007/2008 coincided with three of the UAE CC team being out of the country for work commitments and annual leave. This left me to fly the flag for 6 laps through a desert course covering a total distance of 159km. It was a tough day in the desert as I managed to finish in 9thin the Clubman Class (see the pictures in the Gallery page)

SPONSORSHIP

It has been a big month for the UAE CC in terms of securing sponsorship. The support shown by companies in the UAE and abroad has been first class. In the month of February we managed to secure the support of five additional sponsors.

Iteco has joined the UAE CC as a Platinum sponsor. Iteco is a major supplier of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) and has been doing so to respected International Exploration and Production Companies for over 10 years. The Company has sales offices in the Middle East, France, Germany and India with a collective Industry experience of over 165 years.

Honda has joined the UAE CC as a Gold sponsors.

Honda are also the largest supplier of off road 2 wheel motorbikes in the UAE with a market share that exceeds 60%. Honda has a long standing relationship with supporting the UAE Desert Challenge. Honda bikes have in recent years dominated the field making up almost half of the two wheel bikes competing. They have won the M2 category for the last 2 years.

Honda will be providing the UAE CC team with the CRF450X motorbikes at reduced costs as well as spare parts free of charge during the UAE Desert Challenge itself.

Akamai, Seven Seas and Pentagon have joined the UAE CC as Silver sponsors.

Akamai is an independent strategy consulting, corporate advisory and investment firm established to deliver high-value corporate advice based on a unique business model which combines the consulting skills and entrepreneurial innovation of a leadership team with real world execution expertise. They have knowledge and experience in multiple industries and have helped companies develop and implement the strategies needed for growth and ongoing success.

Seven Seas Ship Chandlers was founded in Dubai in 1986 by Mr. Freddy Sidhwa, now Chairman and Managing Director of the Group. They offer a genuine one-stop marine supplies and services centre, unique even in the United Arab Emirates. Today Seven Seas has a presence in every port, every emirate, and in almost every aspect of the shipping industry. Some of the many marine services provided include: general ship repair, insulation works, refurbishment of crew accommodation, supply and servicing of all fire and safety equipment, life-rafts, life-boats, fixed fire-fighting installation systems, supply of charts and navigation publications, tank cleaning, sludge collection and disposal. Recent additions to the group include branch companies in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and USA.

Pentagon Freight Services LLC are specialists to the oil and gas industry for freight and logistics services. Established in 1974 and now covering 6 continents with 22 offices worldwide they can offer turnkey solutions to any oilfield project for freight and logistical services.

We welcome Iteco, Akamai, Seven Seas, Pentagon and Honda to the UAE CC team and thank them for their charitable support.

We would also like to thanks all those people who have begun to contribute personal donations to the UAE CC. (see your names listed in the Sponsors page)

VOLUNTEER WORK

Matt Wilson of Wilson Griffin Design continues to generously donate his time and expertise to the UAE CC by managing and updating the website.