Raising money for charity is no easy task, as Shawn Balakrishnan would attest.
For a good cause, the 31-year-old public relations consultant and five friends will bundle themselves into two tuk tuks, or three- wheeled motorised vehicles, and traipse across more than 3,000km in India over two weeks from Jan 1.
They are taking part in the Rickshaw Run Winter 2009, an annual charity event organised by British- based group The Adventurists.
The two teams aim to raise 21,000 (S$46,960) for the Frank Water Project, a non-profit organisation which funds clean water projects in India. The six men are game enough to try almost anything to reach their target.
Over the past month, they have taken on challenges thrown by their friends and families. These include 29-year-old chef Lee Eng Su eating a tub of mayonnaise and PR consultants Allanjit Singh, 30, and Mr Balakrishnan completing a vertical marathon in sarongs at the 73-storey Swissotel The Stamford for $50 donations each.
Mr Lee also whipped up private meals for his clients and sold blueberry tarts for $50 each. Their efforts have culminated in a donation pool which now totals $4,800.
This is the first time Singapore is taking part in the run, which is open to people from all over the world.
This year, 64 teams from 53 countries will take part by travelling in tuk tuks from the southern city of Pondicherry to the north-eastern state of Shillong.
All money collected will go towards the run's adopted charities, Frank Water Project and Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps works in India to improve water sanitation and housing conditions there.
To take part in the trip, Mr Balakrishnan will be on no-pay leave while the others will take some annual leave. But it is worth the sacrifice, they say. "It will be an adventure that we will remember, plus a good excuse to hang out with friends," said Mr Lee.
The Singapore teams will shell out more than $2,300 each from their own pockets to pay for their flight, accommodation, food and fuel there.
The fun bunch, who has known one another for nearly 12 years from secondary school, is prepared for anything that may be thrown its way during the trip, including busted wheels, sleeping in the open and puttering across dirt tracks without street lamps.
"Our biggest worry is getting diarrhoea from the local food so we've stocked up on medication for that," said Mr Lee.
The group's fundraising party Blonde For Water is at Novus, a restaurant-bar at the National Museum of Singapore, on Tuesday from 6.30 to 10.30pm. Local band Jack & Rai will perform and proceeds from the sale of beer, at $10 a mug, will go towards the cause.
"There's even a keg of beer to be given away, so come down and support us," said Mr Balakrishnan. tcheryl@sph.com.sg
