NSSLGlobal Ltd, the independent service provider of satellite communications, has supported British team Alpha Badger in the Mongolia Charity Rally, a pan-continental fundraising initiative for Go Help.
From London to the Mongol capital Ulaanbaatar; 42 teams travelled across 10,000 miles and 17 countries over four weeks to raise money to improve education and healthcare for communities in Central Asia. Go Help also made sure all vehicles participating could be used by locals after the rally, as each one was donated at the finish. Having successfully completed the rally, Alpha Badger (which consisted of friends Antoine Cutayar and Oliver Furlow) raised over £6,000 and their Suzuki Carry van is now a mobile library, sharing books with a number of Mongolian communities.
NSSLGlobal assisted Alpha Badger by providing satellite communications training, technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and a Thuraya XT satellite phone, while Thuraya donated complimentary airtime. Whilst in remote locations, the team were able to connect with the other fundraisers, stay in touch with the event organisers and share their experience with loved ones at home. The Thuraya XT was also used as a data router to access the internet. This meant Alpha Badger was able to conveniently access essential information including strict border control schedules whilst on the road.
Alpha Badger team mate Antoine Cutayar on the Thuraya XT in Mongolia Antoine Cutayar, Alpha Badger driver, said, “It was great to receive such a fantastic response from NSSLGlobal. Their sponsorship, along with Thuraya, made everything so much easier; from Russia onwards the Thuraya XT was the only way to stay connected. There were only two of us so it was essential that we could get in touch with someone in emergencies!”
On one particular occasion whilst in the middle of the Gobi Desert, Alpha Badger were able to help another team who had broken down in a river by using their satellite phone to obtain a signal, find their GPS details and call the organisers to arrange a rescue crew. Sally-Anne Ray, MD, NSSLGlobal, said, “It was great to be involved with Alpha Badger and they deserved to be applauded for their efforts. We’re pleased that our equipment, technical knowledge and support provided peace of mind for Alpha Badger and their families.”