‘Biggest challenge’ for travel boss on tuk-tuk trek

The director of a travel and public relations company said she faced her “biggest challenge” as she joined 35 women on a tuk-tuk expedition across India.

The Rickshaw Rally 2026 in March is organized by The Sisterhood, a group of high-achieving women who regularly embark on charitable adventures.

Jo O’Connell, from Bournemouth, said she hoped to help raise £150,000 for Indian women’s projects.

She said leaving her husband and two children would be as difficult as driving rickety vehicles for six days on dangerous roads.

O’Connell said she has never spent more than 15 minutes in a tuk-tuk, despite her travel job.

“The first thing everyone says is make sure you have a cushion,” she said.

“They’re not comfortable, they’re dusty. Apparently they also break down often.”

She added that women would learn to navigate potholes and “chaotic and often very dangerous traffic”.

The 1,200 km (745 mile) coast-to-coast journey begins in Chennai on March 2 and is expected to arrive in Goa on International Women’s Day, March 8.

The route will visit projects aided by previous challenges, as well as the cities of Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore and Panaji.

The money raised will support women’s charities working in education, vocational training and healthcare.

O’Connell said: “Too many women and girls in India are held back by lack of education, limited opportunities and easily preventable health risks. »

The mother of two will be joined by her sister, Lisa Mountain Thompson, who she said had health issues close to her heart after falling seriously ill during childbirth.

“As a group of strong women, we don’t just talk about change: we lead it,” she said.

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