This year the entry fee and minimum sponsorship figures have been reduced to £100 and £400 respectively to encourage more competitors and thus raise more money for this unique and highly important Kenyan conservation initiative, which aims to erect a poacher and game proof fence right round the boundary of the Aberdare Mountain National Park - a total distance of 320 km, half of which is now completed.

Open to all types of road legal 4x4 from family transport to out and out specials, the competition is a mix of off-roading, basic navigation and a variety of special tasks set out by the ever devious Brian Hartley of Club Off Road. No previous experience is required to enter and off-road driving instruction can be arranged for novices beforehand; that said there will be more difficult, but optional, "Tiger Lines" to test the more seasoned competitors during the course of the day.

Naturally the whole reason for the event, apart from having a fun day off-roading in wonderful surroundings, is to raise sponsorship money for the benefit of the charity. To encourage serious endeavour to this end Rhino Ark (Kenya) has most generously arranged for a loan vehicle for the 2003 Kenyan Rhino Charge to be made available as the major prize for this year's UK event subject to a minimum figure being raised. This represents a fantastic opportunity to compete in what is arguably the toughest one day event anywhere. Last year's Kenyan Rhino Charge raised over £160,000, showing that the local population is right behind the fundraising.

There will be prizes for the overall winner, the highest sponsorship raised, a combination of the foregoing to find a Victor Ludorum, a ladies prize and a team prize for teams of two vehicles, the second of which benefits from a reduced entry fee of £50.

Sponsorship from companies, clubs and volunteer groups is being sought on a local and national basis to cover prizes, T-shirts, stickers and the guard posts for the special tasks, where there will be the chance for the sponsors to publicise themselves to the competitors, press, and spectators whilst entertaining clients in a novel way.

For more details please have a look at the informative www.rhinoark.org website or contact UK Rhino Charge coordinator John Bowden (tel: 01444 241457 or e-mail: gumtree@ukonline.co.uk) or UK chairman Guy Tritton