9:00am Saturday 14th November 2009
By Simon Crump
THREE Shipston men will drive nearly 10,000 miles from Britain to Mongolia in an ambulance to raise at least £1,500 for charity.
Team NoMad Adventure - comprising Mike Ashton, his 16-year-old son Callum and friend Syd Wall - will participate in the annual Mongolia Charity Rally to generate the money for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Go Help, a British charity helping other charities exploit their fundraising activities.
Along with about 20 other teams, they will leave central London next July and drive through France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakstan and other countries to reach Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, in about 25 days.
They will travel aboard an ex-Army Land Rover ambulance equipped for use in Mongolia.
The trio will raise the money by attracting sponsorship and holding fundraising events before the rally, which Mike became interested in after reading about it in a national newspaper some years ago.
He consequently attended the launch of the 2009 rally.
Mike then made a Mongolian yurt tent to sleep in while attending shows, at which be demonstrates green woodwork techniques by using his tredle-powered lathe.
Callum, Shipston High School’s head boy, is participating in the hope of having the adventure of a lifetime after his GCSE examinations.
Professional photographer Syd is participating so he can take photographs along the route.
To join the rally, teams must raise at least £1,500 for Go Help projects in Mongolia and can also raise funds for a second charity of their choice.
The rally has raised more than £167,000 for charity since first being held in 2008.
All vehicles completing the rally are auctioned to raise money for Go Help projects or donated to hospitals, orphanages and similar organisations.
Mike said: “I’m quite excited.
“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime trip.”
Anyone interested in supporting the team can telephone Mike on 07866 490206.
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