On Friday, January 16, 2026, a South-West based rally team will embark on an extraordinary journey from the UK to The Gambia, West Africa as part of the Dakar Challenge. This journey will not only test the team’s endurance and navigation skills, but it will also serve a greater purpose as they carry vital tools and equipment for STAND, a Bristol charity dedicated to restoring mobility to amputees in sub-Saharan Africa.
The rally will consist of 30 teams, traveling thousands of miles through various countries and terrains, including smooth tarmac and remote sandy tracks. The journey, which is expected to take approximately 21 days, will push the limits of vehicles that are not designed for such challenging conditions.
For STAND, the delivery of tools and equipment is crucial in providing safe and well-fitted prosthetic legs for amputees in The Gambia. The rally team reached out to STAND, recognizing the immense impact that their efforts could have in changing lives.
Noah Stevens, a member of the UK rally team, shared, “When we learned about the amazing work done by the charity STAND, it was an easy decision to try and help however we could. Receiving something as simple as high-quality prosthetic legs could be life-changing; it is an honor to get involved in something so important.”
Tom Williams OBE, the founder of STAND, expressed his gratitude for the team’s support, stating, “I don’t doubt this will be an adventure for Noah and the team, but it’s also a lifeline for amputees in The Gambia. Reliable access to equipment is fundamental to delivering high-quality prosthetic care. By physically transporting essential equipment to The Gambia, the team is helping remove one of the many barriers amputees face in accessing mobility.”
For STAND, volunteers like the rally team are crucial in ensuring that essential resources reach the places where they are most urgently needed. Their efforts will have a significant impact on the lives of amputees in The Gambia.
The team’s journey will not be distributed by any specific organization. Instead, they have chosen to focus on their mission to support STAND and bring attention to the important work that the charity does.
