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The warning signs were missed, wardens’ shouts misunderstood, and before they knew it, three friends were deep inside a tiger reserve, exposed in a motorised rickshaw with no doors.<\/p>\n
To celebrate turning 50, Vikesh Patel, Kalpesh Pancholi and Rikkin Jetwa embarked on a 1,000km journey across India over five days.<\/p>\n
Mr Patel said the challenge involved braving “traffic chaos”, racing against time to find accommodation before dawn, and driving through dangerous parts of India such as a tiger sanctuary.<\/p>\n
“We had a near miss here, a near miss there,” he told the BBC from Mumbai. “The entire journey was a very memorable experience.”<\/p>\n
The trio from Leicester surpassed their initial target of \u00a320,000 through their efforts, money which would be shared between three charities – British Heart Foundation, LOROS and Cancer Research.<\/p>\n
They were one of 22 teams from all over the world to take part in the challenge, which aimed to allow people to explore south India.<\/p>\n
Mr Patel, who turned 50 in September, described it as a “fantastic challenge”, despite one “hairy experience” while driving from Tamil Nadu to Kerala.<\/p>\n
“We were hooted by some wardens,” Mr Patel said. “We thought they were just calling us to pay them off or they were looking for a bribe.”<\/p>\n
Little did he know that they were in fact crossing a tiger sanctuary, without any protection.<\/p>\n
“We only found out a day later when another team was crossing the same sanctuary and they were asked by the same warden to load their rickshaw on the back of a van and the drive through,” Mr Patel added.<\/p>\n
“That was a hairy experience, purely because while we were driving through the sanctuary, one of the drivers was stepping out of the rickshaw taking photos of monkeys and peacocks.<\/p>\n
“It was one of those moments – which we didn’t think at the time – that could’ve been quite different if we were confronted by an animal.”<\/p>\n
Mr Patel, who works as an IT consultant, said another challenge during the trip was the traffic.<\/p>\n
“When you’re driving through a busy city, it’s very scary,” he said. “We were quite focussed on why we were doing this – to raise money for charity and also have fun.”<\/p>\n
The Adventurists, the company which organised the event, said the teams started their adventure in Fort Kochi, Kerala and then pointed their rickshaws in the direction of Goa.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said their fundraising challenges have raised \u00a38m so far.<\/p>\n
Debbie Thrussell, community engagement co-ordinator for LOROS, said: “We are deeply inspired by the commitment of our fundraisers embracing the challenge of the Rickshaw Run.<\/p>\n
“We are reliant on the kindness of our supporters and their fundraising efforts to ensure the continuation of compassionate care at LOROS Hospice.”<\/p>\n
Follow BBC Leicester on <\/em>Facebook<\/em><\/a>, on <\/em>X<\/em><\/a>, or on <\/em>Instagram<\/em><\/a>. Send your story ideas to <\/em>eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk<\/em><\/a> or via <\/em>WhatsApp<\/em><\/a> on 0808 100 2210.<\/em><\/p>\nRelated internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n