RamblingRat Expedition
benefiting Street Kids International
In June 2008, Tim Dennis of Dalbeattie, Scotland sold his house to finance a solo round-the-world overland expedition. While planning his expedition Tim bought a Tilley hat and found a label inside describing Tilley’s support for Street Kids International. When he read more he found Street Kids vision was perfectly matched with his personal goals and decided to use his expedition to raise awareness and funds for Street Kids.
He chose the name RamblingRat because 2008 was the year of the Rat – and his trip is themed around a cartoon rat named Dylan, a lovable, caring, cheeky rogue, at home on the road, meeting new friends and visiting new places.
As presented in Apple Mac stores around the world, this short movie is a celebration of Tim Dennis has achieved by going around the world promoting the work of Street Kids International.
Tim’s expedition has taken him across the breadth of Europe and Russia to Japan, by sea to Vancouver, up to Alaska and all the way through Canada to New York travelling some 40,000 miles across the harshest terrains on Earth in a customised Toyota Land Cruiser.
Using his vehicle as a conversation starter and the Dylan character to connect with youth has enabled Tim to talk with young people everywhere, focussing on the three themes of his expedition:
Endurance: Visiting remote parts of the world using innovative technology, to challenge ourselves so that we may share real life experiences to inspire others.
Empowerment: Speaking at schools and organizations and setting up locally relevant youth projects to encourage individualism and global freedom.
Awareness: Promoting awareness for the work of Street Kids International, to help street youth from around the world create a more positive life for themselves.
In developed countries Tim uses his camping equipment to create an experience for youth that communicates the importance of basic needs like water, shelter, food and safety and the fact that many in the world don’t have these simple things. In developing countries, he visits Street Kids International’s projects, to raise awareness of the charity’s work.
This is an ongoing sustainable project, not just a quick little trip around the world,” says Tim. “Street Kids International believes that every young person has potential, it’s just the opportunities they are lacking. Working with Street Kids International has been a real eye opener for me because I can really see the impact their work has on young people’s lives.”
Tim’s Land Cruiser is currently in New York, while Tim prepares for the Trans America leg of his expedition. He will drive south through the USA and Mexico, Central and South America all the way to Tierra del Fuego at the tip of Argentina.
Throughout his journey, Tim has shares his experiences of the local people, cultures and lifestyles he encounters through the RamblingRat website.
You can help the RamblingRat Expedition achieve its goals by donating to Street Kids International or if you have media, PR or sponsorship experience and want to get involved, contact ukinfo [at] streetkids.org to find out how you can help.
We're looking for:
the journey so far.
- Tim departed Dalbeattie Scotland June 2008 and arrived New York City June 2009.
- During the first leg of his expedition Tim spent 12 months on the road, covering 29,980 road miles, using 7,935 litres of diesel and 70 litres of oil to drive through 12 countries on 3 continents.
- He took 6 ships to cover a total of 9,360 miles crossing 3 oceans.
- He travelled a total distance of 39,340 miles and only had to pay for 11 nights of accommodation thanks to the roof tent, people’s hospitality and couchsurfing.com!
last update:
October 22, 2009 5:23 PM
