On the 6th December 2014, Newedge Solutions left as one of 60 vehicles on ‘The Great Run’ from Nairobi to the Tumaini Children’s Home in Nyeri.
The two-day charity event raised money for the children’s home. Newedge Solutions are the authorised distributor of Barrett Communications high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) communications equipment across Kenya.
Newedge Solutions are involved with local organisations that run charitable events and regularly sponsor such occasions by providing communications equipment and expertise as part of their sponsorship.
Newedge Solutions Ltd technical and training manager Mr Phil King commented: "On this occasion I was approached by the organisers of ‘The Great Run’ to take part, as car 24, and provide the ‘convoy VHF’ mobile and hand portable communications between the front leader, intermediates and rear safety vehicles.
The event was going to cover stages over the Aberdare Mountain National Park, which has no global system for mobile communications (GSM) coverage. With the VHF communications limited to our convoy group, it was ideal to have the Barrett 2050 in my Land Rover to provide the long-range voice safety communications, which it did successfully."
Mr King’s Land Rover was equipped with the Barrett 2050 HF transceiver with GPS installed, together with the Barrett 2019 Automatic tuning HF antenna with NVIS extension. Their workshop in Nairobi has another Barrett 2050 transceiver configured as a base station using a 912 multiwire inverted V antenna, with both systems configured for data.
Mr King went on to said: "The stage through the Aberdares had some challenging muddy and rocky sections with a few vehicles requiring assistance to get through. However from a safety point of view we had no mishaps, but we were secure in the knowledge that we had a safety communications back up from the Barrett."
Tumaini Children’s Home Patron Bernard M Muindi commented "The very generous gifts from the entire group are received with thanks.
"This Ministry depends on the support from well-wishers like you and I would not hesitate to say that your donations, both material and financial, came at the right time and this has given us a great relief.
"I am sure that these vulnerable children will now celebrate Christmas with joy and thanksgiving."
‘The Great Race’ is an annual event which attracts 4×4 driving enthusiasts to challenge both themselves and their vehicles over an arduous route all in the name of fundraising and supporting charities such as the Tumaini Children’s Home in Nyeri.
Further information on The Great Run can be found at http://www.thegreatrun.org/editions/the-great-run-6
The Tumaini Children’s Home provides, a home for the homeless, spiritual nourishment, a formal education, technical skills and medical care, rescue and rehabilitation for abandoned, neglected and abused children.
It also gives support and care for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and other natural causes, and enlightens children on their rights, encourages and assist them to speak on injustices inflicted upon them.
Further information on the Tumaini Children’s Home can be found at http://www.tumaininyeri.org/.