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Supported by:
![Rough Guides [supporters of the Morocco Hitch]](images/roughguides2006logo.gif)
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All you need to know about the Hitch
How do I sign up?
Simply complete our online registration form here and pay the £27 registration fee. There is a £5 discount if you register before Christmas! Your registration fee covers all the support you will receive leading up to and during the Hitch, as well as a Hitch Pack and Hitch T-shirt. There will also be a limited number of Rough Guides to your destination usually this works out as one per Hitch Group - whilst stocks last! |
Who do I travel with?
You must travel in groups of 2 or 3 (2 is much much easier!); to hitch alone is unsafe. Link Community Development stipulates that there must be at least one male in every group, again for safety reasons. So...if you are a couple of girls wishing to hitch, you need to find a token bloke from somewhere (be resourceful). Don't panic if you are not fixed up with anyone - your Hitch rep will be able to point you in the direction of a partner. A piece of advice: in previous years, all male groups / groups of 3 have found it harder to get lifts, thus the Hitch has taken them slightly longer. The ideal combination is a boy-girl pair. |
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How long does it take?
The average journey time for the Morocco Hitch is 6 days - surprisingly short for such a long distance! The Prague Hitch is shorter and usually takes about three days to complete. For both Hitches please remember that this is an average - it can take 46 hours and it can take 8 days. It will depend on your luck and also whether you are a group of 3.
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 traveled 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.
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.
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How do I stay safe?
Obviously there is a risk factor involved in an event like this, and potential hitchers must be aware of this.
There have not been any serious incidents since the hitch began in 1992 and we want to keep it that way - so we insist all hitchers abide by our rules.
Health and safety on the Hitch are paramount, and LCD takes it extremely seriously. This is a fun event, but we ensure certain procedures are followed to safeguard against certain risks:
- Every hitcher must have an adequate 'Nominated Contact' who will be contactable in the UK for the duration of the hitch (If you are under 21 years old, they must be a parent or guardian). They must be fully aware of the procedures and agree to act as an 'emergency contact'.
- All hitchers must have adequate travel insurance - either arranged by LCD or their own.
- Each hitch group is required to contact LCD every day during the Hitch, either by calling the Hitch telephone hotline or texting the SMS service. After you contact us we write your location onto our tracking system so that your friends and family can track you during your journey. 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!
- 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').
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 3,900 hitchers taking an average of 16 lifts to reach Morocco, that's a whopping 62,400 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! |
How much will it cost?
 Well, as you all know, there is an initial £27 registration fee (£22 if you register online before Christmas). This is to help towards the overheads of organising an event on this scale. For your registration fee you will receive a Hitch t-shirt, your Hitch Pack, and support from the moment you register...all the way to your destination (eg. advice on routes, Health & Safety procedures... ).
Obviously hitching costs you nothing, so the only subsequent expense is your own food, accommodation, travel during your trip and your return flight. This will vary depending on your budget (e.g. whether you camp, sleep in the back of lorries or stay in hotels) and how long you decide to spend in Morocco or Prague.
Your ferry tickets will also need to be paid for by yourself, although it is sometimes possible to hitch on with a vehicle for free. The average amount spent last year, including travel home, was £355 but some people spent a lot less, it all depends on how thrifty you want to be.
In addition, as mentioned, for every £500 raised hitchers can claim back £50 towards their own costs. So, if you really go for the fund-raising you can actually cover the bulk of your holiday.
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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VISAs and Vaccinations
If you have a full British passport, you don't need a visa. If not, please contact your embassy to find out. Check with your doctor for up-to-date recommendations about vaccination requirements - advice varies.
Where is my nearest Hitch region?
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The Hitch is supported regionally by Reps who took part in the event last year. They will be able to answer all your questions about the event, find you a partner and help you to reach your fundraising target. This year there are Reps at the following Universities:
If your town is not listed, don't worry - this doesn't prevent you from hitching! Choose the nearest centre or contact Tina Sloane at the central office: hitch@lcd.org.uk
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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. |
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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 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. |
Who will sponsor me £300?
 LCD provides all registered hitchers with a comprehensive fundraising pack, detailing who to approach and how to go about it. You will be surprised - once you ask family, friends, your old school, colleagues and local companies you’ll be half way there. LCD also encourages you to stage events and collections.
Sending in your sponsorship?
Please only send cheques in the post – we cannot be responsible for lost cash. Make cheques payable to ‘Link Community Development’ and be sure to write your name, hitch region and the word ‘Hitch’ on the back of each cheque. Also please send in your sponsorship form so that we can thank sponsors and where possible claim gift aid – extra money from the tax man! If you have raised the money through an event you will need to complete an Events Record Form, don’t worry there will be one in your Hitch pack.
Any money raised online using justgiving will automatically be added to your Hitch total, but may be up to 3 weeks behind, be patient it will appear eventually!
On 15th February you will be asked to send us your credit card details and authorisation to debit your account for the outstanding amount of sponsorship on 1st June. This is to act as a safeguard so that noone treats the Hitch as a free holiday. We won’t take any money from your account until the 1st June, giving you plenty of time to collect your sponsorship on your return.
Enough questions! Sign up here.
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