At the moment I’m sitting at home in rural Wales awaiting a phone call from John Hunter as to whether the BBC are going to take up the film of this years Scoots Trip !

John, a hugely experienced TV Producer/Director traveled out with us as an integral part of the Scoots team this year and filmed tirelessly for the entire trip. As if shooting over 4 hours of footage every day for 30 days wasn’t daunting enough, John then had to spend many hours each night we were away down loading, previewing and cataloging the footage whilst the rest of us retired to our beds.  Then, on returning home to Cardiff he had to start the even more daunting task of editing it all.

Having had the privilage of seeing John at work on the project AND of having a sneek preview of the taster submitted to the BBC today, I can only say FANTASTIC ! The man is a genius, and has produced what promises to be a very remarkable, amusing and poignant film. Even though I was there, I just can’t wait to see the finished result… Let’s just hope the BBC are as excited about it as I am!

 Team 2012 Final Figures

Just had some figures through from Anita regarding the monies that have been paid by the Team and sponsors into the Bansang Hospital Appeal account, and it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Grand Total to date is:

£11,697

Additionally:

Bike spares to the value of £1154 were purchased from funds and donated to the Hospital.

Mitsubishi Pajaeo used as back-up vehicle was purchased from funds for £2000 and remains for the use of the Project on the 2013 Scoots trip.

A 3/4 ton Ex-Army heavy duty Trailer purchased at £500 also remains ready for the 2013 trip

Title of both of the above is vested in the Scooters in the Sahara Project and any funds raised from their eventual sale will also be added to the above total.

A fantastic effort by all concerned with the 2012 Trip… THANK YOU!

Dennis Robinson

8th June 2012

At the moment I’m sitting at home in rural Wales awaiting a phone call from John Hunter as to whether the BBC are going to take up the film of this years Scoots Trip !

John, a hugely experienced TV Producer/Director traveled out with us as an integral part of the Scoots team this year and filmed tirelessly for the entire trip. As if shooting over 4 hours of footage every day for 30 days wasn’t daunting enough, John then had to spend many hours each night we were away down loading, previewing and cataloging the footage whilst the rest of us retired to our beds.  Then, on returning home to Cardiff he had to start the even more daunting task of editing it all.

Having had the privilage of seeing John at work on the project AND of having a sneek preview of the taster submitted to the BBC today, I can only say FANTASTIC ! The man is a genius, and has produced what promises to be a very remarkable, amusing and poignant film. Even though I was there, I just can’t wait to see the finished result… Let’s just hope the BBC are as excited about it as I am!

Dennis 15 May 2012

Now THAT was a trip !

For the first time ever the Scoots Trip was run overland both ways… Whilst 10 of the team flew home from Banjul on the 30th March, 3 of us Iain, Debz and Dennis together with Anita Smith, the CEO of the Bansang Hospital Appeal made the return journey in the back-up truck. Following a very similar route to the outward trip we arrived back on UK soil at Portsmouth on the 17th April where we were met by Belle, Nadine & Gordon . The return trip had been, thankfully, fairly uneventfull in spite of the well publicised problems in Mali which had also led on to demonstrations in Nouakchott !

Anita has been travelling out to Bansang Hospital for over 20 years but had always flown to and from Banjul, so it was the first opportunity she’d had to experience the thrill (?) of doing the journey by land. Another first for her was wild camping, which she took to incredably well in spite of lugging around a rather large suitcase through the sand dunes !!!!

If you would like to read more about Anita’s adventure have a look at the new Bansang Hospital Appeal web site at www.bansanghospitalappeal.org

With many of the team, including myself, in the throws of organising their own trips to various far flung corners of the globe the resat of 2012 will I’m sure continue to be an exciting and possibly life-changing year for many of us.

No descision has yet been made with regards to future Scoots trips, although with the back-up truck and trailer just needing a little TLC before being ready to go again… The only thing I can guarantee is that it is unlikely that there will be a further trip before October 2013… although, possibly… maybe.. well, just watch this space !

By the way, if anyone else fancies putting together a similar trip I am happy to offer any assistance that I can to the organiser.

More updates will be added in the near future as will photographs from this years trip as I get them (and myself !) sorted out over the next week or so or you can search on Facebook for Scooters in the sahara to see what else is happening with people from this and in some cases provious trips.

Dennis Robinson