Gobi Ambulance - 19 July 2008

Mathew Booth, Russell Nunn and Stuart Garnham old school friends from Essex are undertaking an unusual challenge as they prepare to drive to the other side of the world in a 1978 St John ambulance to raise money for charity.

The Mongol Rally sees teams depart from London’s Hyde Park on 19 July to drive around 10,000 miles to Ulan Bator, Mongolia taking any route they wish as long as are unaided. The idea is that the teams use their wit and tenacity to make their way around the globe and over seven mountain ranges before arriving at their destination.

The rules stipulate that vehicles must not have an engine over 1,000cc -although there is an exception. If the rally committee deem a vehicle to have comedy or novelty value, it is allowed to compete and the boys' ambulance meets that criteria.

Matthew said: “I started off with one friend and a car then another of the guys said they wanted to come along and we were on Ebay at the time and just came across the ambulance”.

“It's got all the history with it - even down to records of every single call it ever did. It's fascinating to look back through it.”

Each vehicle must raise at least £1000 for the Mongol Rally charities, but the team have selected a number of other good causes to support and once this target has been met then 30% of all further donations will come to St John Ambulance.

For more information about the event or to sponsor the Gobi Ambulance please visit http://www.gobi-ambulance.org.uk/ or http://www.mongolrally.theadventurists.com/