Rickshaw Ride 2026 is a unique community-led fundraising initiative organised by Make A Change Foundation (MAC). The event brings people together to support meaningful charitable causes while promoting unity, compassion, and social responsibility. More than just a ride, it represents a shared journey towards creating positive change for individuals and communities in need.
The India Rickshaw Ride 2026 (IRR26), held from 31 March – 6 April 2026, was a unique and adventurous fundraising challenge organised by Make A Change Foundation (MAC).
This year’s event brought together 29 auto rickshaws, with 3 riders per vehicle, totalling 87 participants, all taking on an extraordinary journey across India.
More than just a challenge, IRR26 was a journey of resilience, teamwork, and purpose, where participants navigated changing road conditions, overcame mechanical challenges, and supported one another throughout.
Purpose of the Ride
IRR26 was organised to raise funds and awareness for eye care camps in Kenya, supporting communities with limited access to essential medical services.
The initiative focuses on:
- Free eye testing and diagnosis
- Cataract surgeries
- Distribution of prescription glasses
- Prevention of avoidable blindness
For more complex cases where surgery cannot be performed at the camp, patients are transferred to hospital for further treatment, with all costs fully covered through the programme.
In addition, at the conclusion of the event, 28 of the 29 rickshaws were donated to pre-verified recipients, supporting individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to generate a sustainable income.
One rickshaw was privately owned and therefore not part of the donation programme.
Every mile driven therefore contributed not only to restoring sight, but also to creating long-term livelihood opportunities.
Pre-Event Preparation
Ahead of the journey, all participants attended two days of pre-event training, covering:
- Basic vehicle handling
- Safety guidance
- Route understanding
While many participants initially felt nervous, confidence quickly grew once the journey began.
Teams also brought their own personality to the event by decorating their rickshaws, adding:
- Flags
- Music systems
- Custom horns
- Unique designs
This created a vibrant and energetic atmosphere throughout the ride.
The Rickshaw Ride Experience
Participants travelled in auto rickshaws, taking on a challenge that required far more than endurance.
Each day:
- Teams were provided with the official route map every morning
- Participants were required to follow the designated route
Each team managed:
- Navigation and timing
- Fuel planning
- Breakdowns and repairs
- Supporting fellow teams
From busy city roads to long highway stretches, every day brought new and unpredictable challenges.
On-Ground Logistics & Support
Delivering a multi-day, cross-country rickshaw ride required detailed planning and a strong support structure.
🚑 Medical Support
- Dedicated ambulance support throughout
🚐 Support Vehicles
- 4 × 17-seater minibuses
- Additional vehicles supporting media teams and accommodation coordination
🍽️ Catering Team
- Travelling catering team
- Fresh, hot meals provided three times daily
🔧 Mechanical Support
- 4 professional mechanics providing continuous support
🚗 Support Team
- Approximately 20 support personnel in addition to riders
- Including drivers, ambulance staff, coordinators, media, and logistics teams
This extensive support network ensured the event ran safely, efficiently, and smoothly.
Route Summary
The journey covered 7 days across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Day 1 – Chappaiya → Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
31/03/2026
- Lunch Stop: Awadh Club & Resort
- Night Stay: Orent Resort, Kanpur
- Distance: 277 km
Day 2 – Kanpur → Agra, Uttar Pradesh
01/04/2026
- Lunch Stop: M.L. Dhaba
- Night Stay: Palm Galaxy Hotel, Agra
- Distance: 244 km
Day 3 – Agra → Jaipur, Rajasthan
02/04/2026
- Lunch Stop: Hotel Green Club Bar & Restaurant
- Night Stay: Jaipur Temple
- Distance: 288 km
Day 4 – Jaipur → Pali, Rajasthan
03/04/2026
- Lunch Stop: Hotel Rupali
- Night Stay: Jai Ambe Resort, Pali
- Distance: 274 km
Day 5 – Pali → Palanpur, Gujarat
04/04/2026
- Lunch Stop: Ramdev Baba Dhaba
- Night Stay: Hotel Sundha, Palanpur
- Distance: 245 km
Day 6 – Palanpur → Rapar, Gujarat
05/04/2026
- Lunch Stop: Hotel Honest
- Night Stay: Swaminarayan Temple, Rapar
- Distance: 208 km
Day 7 – Rapar → Bhuj, Gujarat
06/04/2026
- Lunch Stop: Dholavira
- Finish: Bhuj
- Distance: 223 km
Total Distance
1,759 km across 7 riding days
Event Highlights
£180,000 Raised for Eye Care in Kenya
A truly outstanding achievement of IRR26 was raising over £180,000, directly supporting eye care camps in Kenya.
Finish Line in Bhuj
All teams successfully reached Bhuj, marking a powerful and emotional end to the journey.
Breakdowns to Brotherhood
Mechanical challenges brought teams together, creating strong moments of unity and support.
Camaraderie Throughout
Participants built lasting bonds through shared challenges and experiences.
Ceremonial Support & Acknowledgements
Opening Ceremony – Chappaiya
Special thanks to Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Chappaiya, for blessing the opening ceremony.
Closing Ceremony – Bhuj
Sincere thanks to Bhuj Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj for hosting a wonderful closing ceremony.
Gujarat Police
Grateful thanks to Gujarat Police for escorting the teams from entry into Gujarat through to the finish line.
Support Teams
A heartfelt thank you to all support staff, including:
- Drivers
- Ambulance team
- Mechanics
- Catering team
- Media and coordination teams
Their dedication made this journey possible.
Closing Reflection
The India Rickshaw Ride 2026 stands as a powerful example of challenge, unity, and impact.
From raising significant funds and delivering eye care support in Kenya, to creating sustainable livelihoods through rickshaw donations, the event has made a lasting difference on multiple levels.
Above all, it brought people together in a journey defined by purpose, resilience, and shared humanity.
