Bristol Business Network Member looks on the Brightside in African Safari Rally

We all have an idea as to what is involved in PR, but Sara Lewis, managing director of Ascent PR, has recently taken the profession to a different level by supporting the CEO of Bristol-based Brightside Group and ecarinsurance.co.uk in the East African Safari Classic.

The gruelling nine day drive over 4300km began on 19th November in Mombasa, Kenya, and looped through a challenging route across the country, before finishing back in Mombasa on 28th November. It was an intense challenge with two ex-world rally champions competing in the field and famous racing driver Stig Blomkist, who ‘The Stig’ was named after.

The team was raising funds for charitable social enterprise Alive & Kicking. “It was an incredible experience.” Sara enthused. “It was a great opportunity to raise a huge amount of money for Alive & Kicking, an African charity that provides sports balls for children, creates jobs and promotes health education through sport.

“My role was to document the trip through blogs, but also immersed myself in helping navigate the journey and supporting the crew during service stops. I was in absolute awe of the drivers on this rally. To drive a classic car, with no mod-cons and constant mechanical difficulties, through some of the world’s most difficult terrain – was an incredible feat.”

Sara on the Safari Rally

The money Brightside Group raised will help Alive & Kicking move closer to establishing a new stitching centre in Accra, ensure African schools have access to sports balls and will enable the organisation to invest in educating young people about HIV/AIDS.