DISABLED EXPLORER TO COMPLETE TRANS AFRICAN EXPEDITION

Posted 24 June 2003

A DISABLED EXPLORER has begun the preparations that will enable him to fulfil a life-long ambition in the summer of 2004.

Colin Javens, 23, has long held the dream of driving from London to Cape Town, an ambitious project by anyone’s standards but for Colin the trip will be even more remarkable. When Colin is not behind the wheel, he is confined to a wheelchair.

Colin was born and raised in Kenya before moving to the UK in 1986. He is currently a BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Agricultural Marketing student at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, and home is now in Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire.

Colin broke his neck in a diving accident in the Isle of White in the summer of 2000 and the accident has left him paralysed from the shoulders down and confined to a wheelchair with only limited arm movement. However, Colin is a very determined young man. He refuses to let anything stand in the way of his dreams and has previously driven around Australia.

Memories of Kenya have instilled in him a great passion for Africa, travel and wildlife and he hopes to combine these passions in his expedition when he sets out from Shropshire, driving a specially modified vehicle, at the end of next summer.

His schedule should see him crossing Africa during the best weather and he hopes to visit, highlight and document areas of outstanding advancement in conservation, including the reintroduction of Rhino and Wild Dog to game parks in East and South Africa.

Colin said: “It has been a lifetime ambition of mine to make this trip and visiting wildlife conservation areas will make the trip even more fulfilling.”

Colin is currently drawing up his expedition plans with the help of Richard Wood and Will Baker, both close friends from Harper Adams. They will join Colin’s brother Barrie and his childhood friend Ben Matthews in manning a support vehicle during the expedition.

Colin and his team are currently in the process of looking for sponsors for their trip. For further information about the trip or about becoming a sponsor, please contact Colin on 07968 753 886.

(Ends)

Colin is keen to give this trip a high profile and will be happy to answer questions, give interviews and participate in photo-shoots etc. Please contact Colin on 07968 753 886 or E-mail wart.hog69@virgin.net