MINI Named as Official Vehicle Sponsor of Put Foot Rally Crew

Midrand, South Africa, May 29, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The 2012 Put Foot Rally crew, Shake & Bake, are excited to announce MINI as the official vehicle sponsor for their 17 day adventure through Africa.

The Put Foot Rally is an epic journey through Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. The Rally "vibe" is for participants to get off the beaten track and take the road less travelled. Teams are responsible for their own vehicles and route, with challenges around every corner, experiencing different cultures and traditions – it goes without saying that Africa’s first social adventure rally epitomises all the values of the MINI brand: unique, fun, adventurous, and all about the journey.

Meegan Rourke, Louise Gans, Andrew McGill and Gordon McTavish are thrilled to partner with MINI, an innovative and iconic brand associated with sporty fun and individuality. MINI has committed a brand-new MINI Cooper S ALL4 Countryman to the four Durbanites, who are excited to welcome MINI as the '5th member" of their crew. Hailed as a Sports Activity Vehicle for extreme driving fun on any terrain, the Countryman is a perfect fit for this Put Foot Rally crew.

MINI is one of the most iconic rallying brands. Earlier this year, Stèphane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret won the 2012 Dakar Rally in South America, thanks to the MINI ALL4 Racing car. This was Peterhansel’s tenth victory at the "Dakar." In addition, the MINI John Cooper Works is currently participating in the FIA World Rally Championship.

“We are excited to partner with the Put Foot Rally crew and have no doubt that the MINI Countryman will demonstrate its broader range of abilities in both urban use and beyond. The crew will demonstrate how the MINI Countryman paves the way for larger and evolving target groups with a greater need for space and flexibility to experience the driving fun that comes with a MINI,” says Karen Valle, general manager of MINI.

But that’s not all; as part of MINI’s sponsorship agreement, MINI has pledged to match funds raised by Shake & Bake up to R100, 000.

Besides giving participants the opportunity to travel into the heart of Southern Africa, the Rally is also a fundraising initiative. Team Shake & Bake has targeted R50, 000 as their fundraising goal for The Put Foot Foundation, and are encouraging people to ‘rally’ around them in support of a good cause.

Donations earmarked for The Put Foot Foundation will be channeled into "Shoe Drops," where underprivileged school children at pre-identified schools along the route will be given brand new quality 100% leather South African made school shoes, enabling them to walk to school without discomfort, cold or infection, and giving them access to schools who prevent children from attending without a full school uniform.

On June 20th, in a cloud of dust, fuelled by a thirst for adventure, Team Shake & Bake will set off in their MINI Countryman in search of their Checkpoints (Etosha, Victoria Falls, Kariba Dam, Lake Malawi), and finally to the finish line in Mozambique on July 6th.

With just one month to go, and MINI’s agreement to match funds raised, the pressure is on to raise R50, 000 (or more).

“What an amazing feeling it’s going to be, leaving each point along our route knowing that we helped to make a difference in the lives of those children. We’re really hoping that people will get involved to help make this happen,” says Meegan Rourke, one of the crew members.

Support The Put Foot Foundation by making a secure online donation today at shakebakecrew.givengain.org. MINI will match every Rand donated up to R100, 000.

For more information:

Donate: http://www.givengain.com/activist/72997/projects/2488/
Website: http://www.shakebakecrew.co.za
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