A 23-year-old Gore man’s love for adventure is taking him on a chaotic journey across India in a tuk tuk, all to help keep one of New Zealand’s most treasured aircraft flying.
According to a report by Otago Daily Times, Matt Highsted, along with two South Island mates, is competing in the Rickshaw Run, a 3000km adventure from Jaisalmer in northern India to Fort Kochi in the south. Dubbed “two weeks of being slapped about the chops with everything India can throw at you and your glorified lawnmower,” the race sees teams navigate their three-wheeled tuk tuks with no route and no rules.
For Mr Highsted, the challenge is more than just thrill-seeking. He is using the run to raise awareness and funds for the de Havilland 89 Dominie, a vintage aircraft owned by the Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust. The Dominie is the only one of its kind in New Zealand still licensed to carry passengers, but engine troubles threaten to ground it after more than 80 years in the skies, reported Otago Daily Times
Otago Daily Times quoted, “Aviation has been a passion of mine, and what better way to support a project back home than drive across India with no plan and no guidance, just a final destination,” Mr Highsted said.
The run has already tested the team’s resilience. “On day one, we overheated, got lost in the desert, and rolled the tuk tuk,” he said. Despite a 2000km detour to India’s east coast, the group is determined to make it to the finish line on Friday.
Mr Highsted is no stranger to challenges. While studying aerospace engineering at Canterbury University, he helped build rescue housing in Fiji, and later walked the length of New Zealand to raise funds for charity, reported Otago Daily Times.
Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust chairman Tracy Hicks praised his efforts. “We are very grateful to Matt for his enthusiasm and community commitment,” he said, reported Otago Daily Times
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