Couple Set For Charity Road Trip

19/05/2011

A couple are preparing for an epic journey spanning 10 countries and three continents in 35 days in a 50-year-old Mini.

Nicky West and Rob Stacey are embarking on the trip to raise money for the Willow Foundation charity, which helps youngsters with terrible illnesses either live their dreams or take a break from treatment to spend time with loved ones.

It is hoped that the road trip will raise around £11,000 for the charity.

With driving such an old vehicle, the couple will need to ensure that they have the best possible car insurance and breakdown cover in place to complete the attempt safely.

The cherry red 1961 Mini has been off the road since 1967 and was bought on eBay although the only obvious engine faults were a leaking hose and crossed sparkplug. Although the car has been carefully repaired for the journey, it remains original.

With the aim of reaching the Great Pyramid of Giza, the couple's epic journey starts at Hatfield House, Herts, on May 22 and will end at the same venue just 35 days later on June 26.

Ms West said: "It is going to be a really hard slog. The Mini has no air conditioning and we'll spend over 10 hours in the car each day with temperatures around 40?C, so we should certainly come back a bit thinner."

Steven Birch