Two Nottingham businessmen have completed a hair-raising challenge driving a Tuk Tuk around Sri Lanka to raise money for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
Tom Tomlinson (35) and Drew Hewitt (33), both of West Bridgford, put their 10-year friendship to the test as they worked together to navigate the tiny three-wheel vehicle across a 400km route.
Taking it in turns at the wheel, Tom and Drew, drove through cities, towns, mountains and costal roads over six days earlier this month.
To date, they have raised £1,480 for Rainbows, which cares for children and young people with life-limited illnesses from the East Midlands – including those from Nottinghamshire.
Tom, who is Managing Director of Tomlinson Estate Management, was slightly apprehensive ahead of the challenge as the only training carried out was an hour’s Tuk Tuk driving around Belvoir Castle.
He said: “This was a tough, but an incredible challenge in a fabulous country. Many of the other Tuk Tuks broke down, but we were lucky ours didn’t. It was very difficult to drive over some of the terrain, but that was just part of the challenge, and we had a lot of fun.”
Last year Tom climbed Mount Snowdon with colleagues from Tomlinson Estate Management. They raised £2,778 for Rainbows.
He added. “Rainbows is very important to so many people. It is a fantastic place for big kids and little kids and the support they get, as well as their families, is just wonderful. I also know it has been a tough time for them to fundraise with all of the Covid restrictions, so we wanted to do as much as we could to help.”
Drew, who owns Gloryholes, a miniature golf course in Nottingham, added: “It was incredibly challenging at times with the conditions of the roads and unpredictable weather. Nevertheless, we always had a smile on our faces and were warmly greeted by all locals.”
Kirsty Coxon, Rainbows community fundraiser, said: “What they guys did was incredible. To take on such a challenge for us is fantastic and it sounds like they had a lot of fun while doing it. Supporters like Tom and Drew enable us to keep doing the work we do to brighten short lives and we thank them, and everyone who has sponsored them.”
To still support Tom and Drew, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Thomas-Tomlinson4
