The journey of three medical doctors from London to Cape Town nearly ended when their car suffered catastrophic damage, leaving them stranded in Nigeria.
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James Weller, Karen Chang, and James Spence, from London, began their trip 61 days ago, driving a Toyota Hilux named Edna from London to Cape Town.
Their Instagram page, @london.2.capetown, has captivated 379 000 followers, sharing the highs and lows of the trip. Challenges included getting stuck in mud in Côte d’Ivoire, setting up wilderness camps, and nearly being denied entry to Togo.
They faced significant dangers, such as camping in forests and open veld, exposing them to wildlife, the elements, and human threats.
One of the most harrowing experiences was in Ghana when Karen was sexually assaulted as a man masturbated while watching her sleep. This incident highlighted the unpredictable and risky nature of their expedition.
The journey nearly ended when Edna ‘snapped in half,’ leaving the adventurers stranded and their dreams in jeopardy.
Covering nearly 20 000km across diverse terrains, the adventurers, who met 10 years ago at university, have faced numerous challenges, but the vehicle damage was the worst, threatening to derail their mission.
During a gruelling stretch, the car’s frame succumbed to the strain, snapping in half.
This mechanical failure left them stranded in a remote area, facing logistical challenges and the prospect of abandoning their quest.
‘Edna snapped in half and we’re unsure if we can continue our trip. During the crossing from Nigeria to Cameroon we encountered the worst roads of the trip so far. This put a huge strain on Edna’s already compromised chassis,’ the trio shared in an Instagram post. They said they needed donations to assist them to repair the vehicle.
‘While driving even at low speeds, we noticed the back was moving more and more to the point where it was almost hanging off. We stopped to assess her and she had completely snapped in half. The rear chassis had multiple severe cracks.
‘This is the worst scenario and there’s no way we can drive Edna to South Africa. Repairing such severe damage will be expensive and take many days.’
Many people in the comments section offered donations and tagged Toyota to help the doctors complete their trip.
News of their plight reached Toyota, known for robust vehicles. Recognising the spirit of the journey and the travellers’ dire situation, Toyota decided to intervene.
Toyota South Africa’s Instagram page replied, ‘Hey Karen, James, and Spence, we’ve been loving your epic journey from London to Cape Town. Edna’s been a trooper, but we’re sad to see her struggling.’
‘To keep the adventure rolling, we’d love to send Edna’s newly launched big brother, the Hilux GR-Sport, to complete your journey to Cape Town.’
The endeavour has turned a potential setback into a tale of perseverance and corporate generosity. Some individuals expressed on social media how the expedition might be riding on African goodwill.
With renewed determination, the adventurers took to Instagram to express gratitude for the support received.
‘We deeply appreciate every message and donation, no matter the size. While we wish we could personally thank each one of you, it’s not feasible,’ they conveyed.
Resolved to proceed with their original vehicle, the trio remains committed to repairing Edna and continuing their journey southward with her.
‘Our mechanic has assessed Edna, and he’s optimistic about getting her back on the road in a few days. We’ll keep everyone informed,’ they assured.
Additionally, they took to Instagram to express gratitude to Toyota for their offer of assistance, but they are determined to continue the journey with their beloved Edna.
‘We can’t abandon Edna. She’s like family to us, an essential part of our crew. We started this journey with her, and we intend to finish it with her.
‘We can’t give up on her now. She’s facing challenges, but she’ll overcome them.
‘We’re grateful to @toyota_sa for their offer, but we need Edna to reach Cape Town, and we’ll do our utmost to get her back on track.’
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Picture: @london.2.capetown / Instagram