Three Norfolk lads are in the thick of an adventure that will take them 9,500 miles and across 15 countries to Mongolia in east Asia.
The trio attended Gresham School, near Holt, together when they were younger and have reunited to take part in The Mongol Rally. The annual event sees hundreds take part in the en masse race, in which competitors can take any route they wish.
Tim Armstrong, a chartered accountant from Norwich, Sam Sharples, a policeman based in Great Yarmouth, and Rupert Lubbock, originally from Norfolk also but now a holiday park warden working in Cornwall, have so far raised more than �2,000 for Christina Noble Children's Foundation which supports underprivileged children in Mongolia and Vietnam.
The Dukes of Haphazard, as they have named themselves, are hoping that their 989cc Perodua Kelisa will have what it takes to travel the distance a third of the way round the world, after starting from Goodwood racetrack in Sussex.
They hope to complete the rally in four weeks but have set aside five in case of any hold-ups they encounter along the way.
The route the lads are taking goes through France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and finally, Mongolia.
They are sharing parts of their venture through an online blog, which so far have included posts such as: 'Currently wandering around Trabzon (Turkey) trying in vain to find somewhere for a spot of lunch at the start of Ramadan' and 'Sleep needed now after a drive through stunning mountains south of Trabzon.'
They have also discovered a few minor hold ups, saying: 'Queuing at Iranian border awaiting numerous paperwork and vehicle checks. Have also bumped into some fellow rallyists from various teams!'
The Dukes of Haphazard set off from Goodwood on Saturday, July 23 and after getting into Iran at the end of last week are now entering the home stretch of the adventure.
The Dukes of Haphazard are updating a blog when possible during their trip, which can be found at www.dukesofhaphazard.weebly.com or donate to their cause at www.justgiving.com/dukesofhaphazard
Are you raising money for charity? Call Local Life editor David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk
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