A MAN from Little Sampford is hoping to raise money for families in India by driving a rickshaw across the world s highest mountain range. Anthony Hughes, 27 from Clerkes Farm, decided he wanted to raise money for charity after he visited India in Novembe

A MAN from Little Sampford is hoping to raise money for families in India by driving a rickshaw across the world's highest mountain range.

Anthony Hughes, 27 from Clerkes Farm, decided he wanted to raise money for charity after he visited India in November last year.

"I enjoyed my time in India so much that I wanted to go back there," he said. "In January, I was planning a visit to see my sister Catherine, who works in Singapore as a teacher, and my newly born nephew Jan who was born in March, and thought it would be a good idea to stop off en-route.

"I then thought it would be a nice thing to be able to raise some money and put something back to the people in India.

"When I came across a website offering this experience, it was just the thing. They do loads of interesting, crazy things all in the name of raising money for charity."

The Rickshaw Run involves driving rickshaws from Calcutta in India, over the Himalayas and finishing two weeks and over 1000 miles later in Manali.

Mr Hughes will be raising money for the Mercy Corps, a charity that works to alleviate diseases, provide water sanitation and also teaching about AIDS awareness.

People taking part, there are approximately 50, buy their own rickshaw for the trip. This is then donated to an Indian family, so they can start up their own business. Mr Hughes says he has already bought his.

"I'm going on the trip with a friend of mine called Annie Rowden," he said. "We're getting quite excited about it now because we have just booked our flights out to Dehli. Now all I have to do is raise enough money. I'm hoping to raise £3000, all of which will go to helping people in India."

Mr Hughes says what particularly appealed to him about raising money in this way was that, once you leave the start, teams do not have to keep to one particular route which gives a lot of freedom to see the country.

"I'm particularly keen to see Nepal and that's why we are taking the high route in the mountains," he said. "We're going to be staying in hostels along the route so we'll be travelling pretty light.

"All I'm really taking is a decent tool kit and some waterproofs, because it'll be the monsoon season and I'm sure they'll come in handy along the way."

Mr Hughes sets off on his journey on June 19. He estimates that the Rickshaw leg of his journey will take him approximately two weeks.

Anyone wanting to donate money can go to the website www.justgiving.com/thebusofbengal or telephone Mr Hughes on 07899 835359.