Drivers ‘rally round’ for children’s early years education charity #ParentaTrustRally2019

A rally, led by a ‘Veloce-raptor and a fur-covered classic car, set off from Maidstone, Kent yesterday (Wednesday 26^th June) to raise funds to build pre-schools for children in need of a quality education in deprived areas of the world.

Organised by early years education charity Parenta Trust, the annual five-day escapade – now in its 6^th year – sees teams drive over 2000 miles in five days. They travel through eight countries, experiencing the scenery of the Alps and the winding roads of the legendary Furka Pass – camping and undertaking various fun challenges along the way – before reaching their final destination of Monaco on 30^th June.

Parenta Trust was founded by Allan Presland in 2013 after he visited Uganda. He said: “The annual rally is a fantastic way to bring people together for a great cause and have fun along the way – the support we receive year on year is nothing less than astounding!  After seeing first-hand the enormity of the poverty and lack of education for pre-school children in post-conflict East Africa, I knew I had to do something significant to help; so I set up Parenta Trust to support the building of further pre-schools in the region.  Our charity has the support, passion and driving-force of some remarkable people who are united in the belief that all children deserve to have a basic education, no matter where they are in the world. 

“The first four pre-schools are built and open – giving nearly 900 children an education that would previously have been impossible.  The fifth opens in 2019 – in memory of former Parenta employee and Trustee Dan Carlton who sadly passed away – and the sixth has been commissioned, with fundraising for the seventh underway.