Voyaging through southern Africa, the Avis Red Sock ‘mobile’ is spreading the word of humanity on the Put Foot Rally, and taking the responsible route through carbon offsetting the journey for all 50 crews.
Travelling 7000km in 17 days through the Avis car hire countries of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland, the five man redsocker crew starts in Cape Town all for the Bobs for Good cause of putting leather school shoes on under privileged children’s feet. Fitting in with the adopted Red Sock Friday initiative, benefitting Jumping Kids through assisting young amputees with prosthetics, the Put Foot Rally becomes an extension of our internal campaign, launched on 6 May 2011.
Since Avis is the first CarbonNeutral accredited company, the rally’s total carbon emissions and its possible impact on the environment became a concern.
All emissions omitted during this charitable adventure will be measured and offset through Food and Trees for Africa’s (FTFA) bamboo offsetting project. FTFA will plant bamboo at Blue Disa, a church group with a feeding scheme near Lenasia (Gauteng). Planting will start in the spring of 2011 when the weather is most conducive to its growth.
These plants are easily contained to a specific area and therefore the risk of encroachment is limited. To offset the entire PFR for 2011, the bamboo will be required to grow for a period of approximately 3 years. Economically, Blue Disa will benefit from the ability to harvest the plant to make housing, roofing and flooring once the plants are fully grown. PFR will now look after our treasures, the animals, the flora and fauna, the most beautiful landscape in the world, but not forgetting the entire ecosystem as a whole.
Team Avis Red Sock Friday:
Donovan White: City boy, Avis South Africa’s social media specialist and man behind the words of the Avis Red Sock Rhino on Put Foot Rally. Just like any avid Avis socker, his blood is red, ready to take on this first ever social rally throughout southern Africa in the name of humanity and sustainability.
John McInroy: Red Sock Friday creator and Avis RSF Brand Ambassador. Driving the ‘ShoOops’-mobile, he teaches positive living and shows how he tries harder after just completing the Red Sock Friday Unogwaja challenge of cycling from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg and running the epic Comrades Marathon.
Alisha Poppat: Winning her spot through Red Sock Friday’s Youtube competition, she's a professional and passionate singer who was on the bill for the FIFA World Cup’s 2010 World Cup Kick-off concert. As the only lady, she is the ‘Kenyan Queen’ of the team and has a mission to “paint Afrique red”.
Graeme Madsen: Bringing in his travelling experience, this lover of the sun from Umhlanga, won his space in the ‘ShoOops’-mobile as the runner up in Red Sock Friday’s Youtube competition. Coming in with a goal to ‘braai’ throughout Africa, Graeme adds his humour and socker enthusiasm to the crew.
Jonathan Degeuldre: After having just filmed and documented the entire Unogwaja challenge, Jonathan gears up his Plate Pictures equipment and experience to capture this epic event, coming to you on YouTube whenever satellite signal permits on the trip. With Put Foot Rally starting in his home town of Cape Town, he becomes vital when it comes to steering the ‘ShoOops’-Mobile in the direction of Namibia.
Avis Red Sock Rhino: Official mascot to team Avis Red Sock Friday, this red socker will document Put Foot Rally on Twitter (@AvisSouthAfrica) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AvisSouthAfrica). Starting in Johannesburg at the Avis Head Quarters, he will post about his trip down to Cape Town, the drive through Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Swaziland, the different cultures experienced, provide some tips when travelling to these countries, and about heading home from the Swazi Kingdom.
Learn more about Team Avis redsockfriday: The Red Sockers http://www.putfootrally.com/the-you/the-crews/