








Participants in an annual car rally, organised by Parenta Trust, have made a triumphant return to Kent after a journey of over 2000 miles in just 5 days.
The drivers assembled at Parenta headquarters in Maidstone on Wednesday 27th June to begin their epic adventure, which lasted until Sunday 1st July.
The rally – now in its 5th year – raises vital funds to build pre-schools for children in deprived areas of the world. Teams are tasked with finding a car costing no more than £350 to complete a ‘road trip of a lifetime’ through Europe.
Travelling through 8 countries, teams must negotiate the winding roads of the infamous Furka Pass, camping and undertaking various challenges along the way. Their final destination before returning home is Monaco, where there is a traditional celebratory night out to mark the end of the rally.
Parenta Trust founder and trustee, Allan Presland said: “What a fantastic and emotional journey! We are enormously grateful to all the people who joined us on our 5th rally and, of course, to those who sponsored those taking part in what was 5 days of adventure and excitement with plenty of fun and laughter along the way!
“We had our fair share of car breakdowns…mostly my car, as usual! We had an amazing response from the European authorities throughout our journey – in particular the Border Guards and Police in Belgium – they even asked if they could get inside my car for a photo opportunity! We were given a special escort at one point; and as we approached the Mont Blanc tunnel the guards looked officious but when they saw the furry banger cars and realised we were participating in a charity rally, they laughed and joked with us and were very supportive.
“Every day I feel privileged to have the opportunity to play a part in the crucial task of giving children in East Africa the chance to have an early years education. We have raised a significant amount of money from this rally and we’re on target for the £14k we were hoping for. Fundraising work will commence for our 7th school early next year; and the funds raised from this year’s rally help to build our 6th school. Our 5th school - in honour of former Parenta head of marketing and trustee of the charity, Dan Carlton, who sadly passed away in December 2016 – will be ready by Easter 2019 and we very much hope that Dan’s parents who participated in the rally for the first time this year, will be able to officially open it.
“We have two more fundraising events to look forward to this year, both slightly more glamorous than a car rally! Two black tie charity balls - one in Maidstone and one in Bath – a great way to end a successful year of fundraising with wonderful food, drink, dancing and of course, the obligatory charity raffle!”
The charity was founded by Allan Presland in 2013 following a life-changing trip to Kampala in Uganda. Whilst there, Allan witnessed a young girl scavenging for food on a rubbish tip on top of a cemetery. It was in this moment that the stark reality of poverty and the lack of education for pre-school children in Africa struck him.
Upon his return to the UK, Allan set up the Parenta Trust with the aim of providing high-quality early years education to children in disadvantaged countries. With the help of his contacts, he started an ambitious quest to build one pre-school per year. With four schools completed in just four years, April 2019 will see the opening of the charity’s fifth pre-school in Uganda.
Find out more about sponsoring a child in a Parenta Trust school here .