“BIKE&CAMP KANTOU24,” organized by Mr. Yamashita, who volunteers for the cleaning, maintenance, and packing work of our NGO, was held again this year on October 26 and 27 by Lake Kasumigaura.
Various bicycles were displayed and available for test rides, and camping equipment was on display and for sale. 143 groups of 170 people stayed overnight (e.g., in tents) and 1,000 people, including general visitors, attended the event.(Click on the brochure on the right to link to the event page)
We participated in this event for the fourth year in a row after Mr. Yamashita’s gracious invitation to attend the event and introduce our activities to the public.
During the day there were test rides of various bicycles and camping equipment for sale. On Saturday evening, a talk show was held around a campfire. It was a great opportunity for the participants to introduce their travel experiences, and they had a lot of fun asking related questions and sharing their own experiences, which was a great success.
After the talk show, Chairperson Morita gave a speech introducing our NGO. He expressed his desire to “continue our activities to send wheelchairs overseas so that handicapped children there can be as healthy as possible.” The participants listened attentively to his speech.
The annual charity auction, which has become a lively event every year, was also held, with participants bidding loudly on items introduced one after another. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the NGO. Thank you, everyone!
October 30, 2024 Secretariat
(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.
(Left) This is the headquarters tent at the entrance to the venue, where the reception for visitors is located.
(Right) We used a part of the headquarters tent to display panels introducing our NGO and a wheelchair (orange).
(Left) The event started with a greeting by Mr. Yamashita.
(Right) A photo with Chairperson Morita, who had rushed to the event, Mr. Yamashita, and a board member of the NGO.
(Left) We called for donations while having people enjoy “roasted marshmallows” by the bonfire in front of the headquarters tent.
(Right) Mr. Yamashita led Chairperson Morita on a tour of the stores at the event site.
(Left) A talk show was held around a bonfire. The main topic of conversation was the hardships faced when crossing foreign borders by bicycle.
(Right) Mr. Morita introducing our NGO to the audience. “We want to continue to send wheelchairs overseas so that children with disabilities can go outside to breathe fresh air and bask in the sunshine.”
(Left) When Mr. Morita presented Mr. Yamashita with a T-shirt commemorating the 20th anniversary of the NGO and the presentation of 10,000 units to overseas countries, he immediately put it on. He is indeed a professional model.
（Right) This is a general view of the venue. On the left side, there are still tents, food trucks, etc. It was a lively two-day event.
This year will be the last time the event will be held at this location in Kasumigaura. We will miss it, but it was another great event.