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How long will it take me - honestly?
The average journey time to get to Morocco is 5 days - surprisingly
short for such a long distance! It depends on how many separate
lifts you need. Remember that this is an average - it can take 46
hours and it can take 8 or 9 days if you are particularly laid back.
The distance from the UK to Prague is much shorter than that to
Morocco, so consequently your Hitch should should take less time.
It can be done in under 24hours though 2 or 3 days is more likely.
The key is to head straight for a ferry port - don't be put off
when motorists in the UK laugh when you tell them your destination,
and as soon as you've blagged a lift onto the ferry (or simply travelled
on as a foot passenger!), make a bee-line for the truckers lounge
and start net-working massively. Often when people discover you're
hitching for charity, they will go out of their way to help out
- providing meals, ringing their mates to get you an on-going lift,
and even putting you up for the night on occasions.
Others approach it in a more leisurely fashion and explore a bit
of Europe on the way - it all depends how much of a rush you are
in to reach your destination, but in our experience the more relaxed
you are the more fun you'll have on your journey. There are some
amazing Easter processions and fire festivals in southern Spain
during Easter, so if this takes your fancy why not make a detour
to soak in the atmosphere.
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What about safety - isn't hitching dangerous?
Obviously there
is a risk factor involved in an event like this, and potential hitchers
must be aware of this. But, in the 15 years the Hitch has been running,
Link Community Development has never had any serious problems and
want to keep it that way.
LCD take the safety of our hitchers extremely seriously. We have
several health and safety procedures in place to try and minimise
the risk as much as possible. Hitchers are required to phone LCD's
hitch hotline and a nominated contact with their current location
every 24 hours (alternating the two on a 48 hour basis). The hotline
is operational 24hours a day, seven days a week from the UK. The
British Consulates in France, Spain and Morocco, and Belgium, Luxembourg,
Germany and the Czech Republic are fully aware of the hitch and
co-operate willingly. There is also a 24 hour, manned, emergency
mobile number available should the hitchers need help at anytime
(for both the hitchers and the 'Nominated Contacts').
The Events Officer 'charts' each hitch group's progress on the
web-based tracking system, which friends and family can log onto
at any point to check the hitch group's latest location. If anyone
fails to call in, the hitcher's 'Nominated Contact' will be notified
immediately. The course of action to be taken will then be decided
by the hitcher's 'Nominated Contact'. This has happened in the past,
but each time has been down to Hitchers having lost track of time.
Not being able to find a telephone is often the feeble excuse!
Despite the bad press hitchhiking suffers, we have thousands of
hitchers who can tell stories of the amazing generosity of people
who have given them lifts of their journey. The maths should tell
the story: with 3,100 hitchers taking an average of 15 lifts to
reach Morocco, that's a whopping 46,500 lifts that have been safely
taken by our hitchers.
The bottom line in terms of safety is that it is a matter of common
sense. If someone stops and offers you a lift, and you don't feel
entirely comfortable about getting in their vehicle, then you don't.
Be sensible and you'll be fine!
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Why Morocco?
Basically because it is the most accessible African country from
the UK - we thought if we asked people to hitch down to Cape Town
then there wouldn't be many takers! Your arrival in Morocco will
be an attack on the senses. It is an incredibly vibrant country
with amazing sights, sounds, food, culture and people.
- Why Prague?
In 2003 Prague was added as an alternative destination to popular Morocco. Only 800 miles away it is an ideal destination for those who are short on time-frame but still want to take part in an important cause, and while doing so travel to a beautiful city! It’s also great challenge for those who have already participated in the Morocco Hitch but would like to dedicate another Easter Break to hitching for charity.
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Am I insured?
If you are not already covered, for instance by a family world-wide
policy, then you will need to take out a suitable insurance policy.
In your hitch pack will be information about Link Community Development's
suggested insurance brokers, who have supplied our Hitch insurance
policies for years. Alternatively you can arrange your own insurance
but please but sure it covers you for the hitch itself as well as
the time in Morocco/Prague. If you make your own arrangements LCD
will need a copy of your policy before you set off.
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Who will sponsor me up to £300?
LCD provides all registered hitchers with a comprehensive fundraising
pack, detailing who to approach and how to go about it. You'll be
surprised - once you ask family, friends, your old school, colleagues
and local companies you will be half way there. LCD also encourages
you to stage events and collections.
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How do I handle the money I raise?
LCD provides you with instructions on how to deal with money.
As you are making a promise to your sponsors that the money is going
to charity, we ask you to keep records, on an official Link sponsorship
form, of every sponsor you have. We then ask you to obtain
as much money as you can prior to the hitch, and to supply us with
your credit card details and authorisation to debit your account
for the outstanding amount. This is purely as a safeguard
to us and your sponsors. Your account will be debited on the 1st
June in the absence of your sponsorship. This will give you
plenty of time to collect in your sponsorship on your return.
