Shropshire duo buckle up for 10,000-mile rally across Europe in 'Trusty Justy'

Yesterday the two Shropshire adventurers set off from Goodwood on the Mongol Rally – a 10,000-mile trip through Europe and beyond to Ulan Ude in Eastern Russia.

To make their trip even tougher they have to take part in a cheap small car. Their chosen chariot is a 16-year-old, £250 Subaru they have christened the 'Trusty Justy'.

David, 23, from Lower Frankton, near Ellesmere, and Dan, 21, from Shrewsbury, are raising funds for two charities, the organisers' nominated charity, Cool Earth, and the Macmillan Cancer Charity.

"It was Dan's idea," David said. "He asked me if I fancied doing it, then when I said 'yes' he said 'good, because I've already paid the £500 entry fee'.

"The ridiculous thing is we both have very capable Land Rovers that would make the journey so much easier.

"Luckily for me Dan, a haulage driver for DPS Transport, is used to long drives."

He said that the Mongol Rally had been running in various forms since 2004.

"You drive from the UK, to Eastern Russia – Ulan-Ude. You get no help, there is no fixed route and the entry rules are set to ensure you are given the most difficult journey possible. It's a proper challenge, pushing you through countries and regions that many would not attempt to visit," he said.

"We both have very loving, nervous girlfriends and both sets of family think this is all a fantastically bad idea.

"We are going to zig-zag our way through Europe, trying to add in a few nearby countries on our way for bragging rights. The last tally was 23 countries. To make the trip affordable, we will be camping next to the car most nights."

The journey includes driving through Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. "These countries are huge, we are travelling of 1500 miles in Kazakhstan alone," David added.

To sponsor the pair, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/david-main3