Two well-known members of the hunting community are taking on an extraordinary rickshaw challenge through India and the Himalayas to raise vital funds for Supporting Wounded Veterans.

Andrew Osborne, Chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, and James Mossman, a former Master of the Quorn Hunt, are currently tackling the Rickshaw Run Himalaya - an endurance adventure which will see them navigate some of the highest and most challenging roads in the world in a rickshaw.

Andrew said:

“We are currently ‘driving’ a tiny three-wheeled rickshaw over 1,000 miles from northern India and into the mighty Himalayas and then back down through the northern Indian desert tackling some of the highest mountain roads in the world and the arid Indian desert. The journey will take us through extreme heat, cold, monsoon rains, rough roads and breathtaking mountain passes, climbing to over 16,000 feet then through the Northern Indian Desert where both the rickshaw and we will be pushed to our limits.”

In an update from the adventure earlier this week, Andrew revealed the scale of what still lies ahead:

“There is a long way to go yet. It is an extraordinary challenge but knowing that we are doing it to raise money for Supporting Wounded Veterans makes every mile worthwhile.”

The charity helps wounded veterans rebuild their lives through rehabilitation, mentoring and ongoing support. The Himalayan rickshaw challenge is the first of several fundraising events James is undertaking ahead of volunteering as a ski buddy for Supporting Wounded Veterans in Klosters in March 2027. There, he will spend a week supporting one of 25 wounded veterans, both on and off the slopes, as part of a programme designed to rebuild confidence, independence and self-belief. Money raised through the rickshaw challenge, and further events planned over the coming months, will help fund the specialist equipment, counselling, pain management and physiotherapy that support the veterans taking part.

Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance, said:

“Andrew and James have taken on a quite extraordinary challenge and everyone in the hunting community will be wishing them well as they tackle the Himalayas in what must be one of the least suitable vehicles imaginable.

“Their determination to turn this incredible adventure into an opportunity to support wounded veterans is hugely admirable, and for James this is just the beginning of an even greater personal commitment to the charity.

“That willingness to give time, energy and, in this case, a considerable amount of courage to help others is typical of the generosity we see throughout the hunting community. We congratulate Andrew and James and hope people will get behind them and support this very worthwhile cause.”

Oliver Hughes, Managing Director of the British Hound Sports Association, hunting’s governing body, said:

“Andrew and James’s remarkable effort is another example of the generosity and community spirit that runs throughout hunting. Hunt supporters across the country have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in recent years, often through challenges and events which bring entire communities together.

“Supporting others has always been an important part of hunting, and Andrew and James are certainly going the extra mile – quite literally – for an incredibly worthwhile cause. We wish them every success for the many challenging miles still ahead.”

Every donation made to Andrew and James’s challenge will support the work of Supporting Wounded Veterans. To support and follow their journey, visit their JustGiving page.