Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Imagine driving across roughly one-third of the world's circumference with no specific route, no support vehicles and no guarantee that you would get to where you were going. Now imaging doing the whole thing in a sub-compact car.

Yellowknife resident Lachlan MacLean will be driving a sub-compact car similar to this one about 12,000 km from the United Kingdom to Mongolia this coming July to raise money for the NWT Literacy Council. - Laura Busch/NNSL photo

That's precisely how Yellowknife resident Lachlan MacLean plans to spend five to six weeks this summer -- driving a sub-compact car from Western Europe to central Asia to raise money and awareness for the NWT Literacy Council.

"It's part of a larger rally called the Mongol Rally, which is a general fundraising adventure," said MacLean.

When speaking with MacLean about his plans for the epic road-trip spanning two continents from England to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, it's easy to see the romanticism in this kind of adventure.

MacLean describes the spirit of the rally as the "aesthetic of adventuring in the classic sense – with handlebar moustaches and pit helmets. Going out into the desert and, you know, gin and tonic and tea – that kind of thing."

While researching which Northern charity he wanted to support, MacLean was drawn to the NWT Literacy Council because he said reading has had a significant effect on his life.

"I realized how much of my worldview is affected by my ability to read," he said. "And, certainly in the North, where you get into isolated communities, it's going to be one of the few ways that you can learn about the world. And, if you ever want to head out into the world, you need it."

Katie Randall of the NWT Literacy Council said MacLean's support is not a typical funding source for the council; most of its funding comes through project proposals.

While MacLean is driving his tiny car a third of the way around the world next July and August, the Literacy Council will be getting youth groups involved in tracking which countries he is passing through. In doing so, the youths will have an opportunity to learn more about parts of the world they don't necessarily know anything about.

"This project is kind of fun in that we're building as we go," said Randall. "And it's great that we get to do imbedded learning throughout the whole process."

Donations to the campaign can be made primarily through the team's website and MacLean is hoping contributors will attach their funds to unique challenges along the way.

"So, if someone says that they'll donate $100 if I can get a picture of myself in front of the Gates of Hell in Turkestan, which is this giant flaming pit in the ground, then I can make my way that way," he said. "It's not only about raising the funds, but using it as a quirky way to get people interested."

MacLean joked that accepting certain challenges might come with a higher price tag. For example, it would probably take a few thousand dollars for him to, say, wear a kilt for the entirety of the trip.

"I'm interested in kind of quirky ways, I guess, or interesting ways of encouraging me to finish the trip," he said.

Polar Bears Posing as People will also be hosting various events around Yellowknife leading up to the event to raise funds. The first scheduled event is a dance party on Feb. 17 at the Top Knight where team-member Kate Guay will be DJing.

As a BHP employee, MacLean qualifies for the "matched giving" program, which will match any funds raised for charity up to $45,000.

"From my perspective, I'm shooting for the moon. I'll try and raise as much money as possible," said MacLean, adding because BHP's fiscal year ends at the end of June, he could technically raise $45,000 before leaving on his adventure and double the amount while he is participating in the rally.

While MacLean does have a rough route planned, he said he doesn't want to over plan his trip for fear of ruining the adventure.

"It's really interesting to set a goal and say, 'I'm going to do it. I don't know how, but I'm going to,'" said MacLean. "And by doing that, it's really pushed me into these areas where I'm not totally comfortable."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.