Aged ambulance to tackle Mongol Rally

But the risks of driving about 10,000 miles from the UK to Ulaanbaatsar, Mongolia, are all part of the challenge for 20-year-old Tom Lake.

Bartender Tom is preparing to take part in the Mongol Rally, in which drivers in “underpowered and unsuitable” vehicles attempt to cross deserts and mountains in search of the finish line.

Along with team-mates Curt Pinnock, from London, and Omeed Alikhazinadeh, an engineer from Knottingley, Wakefield, Tom will attempt to travel 10,000 miles across mountain ranges, deserts, and grassland plains.

They plan to drive across central and Eastern Europe, and then on through the Middle East taking in Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and finally Mongolia.

The only rule is that teams must drive an underpowered and unsuitable car for the mission which starts on Saturday July 23.

Their own unsuitable vehicle is a 2001-plate LDV ambulance which they bought on auction site eBay for a modest £2,420.

Although it is not particularly underpowered – it has a 2.5 litre turbo diesel engine – the ambulance is heavy and the going will be tough when the roads become dirt tracks.

The ambulance has 220,000 miles on the clock but it is hoped that it can manage a few thousand more.

Tom, who works at Salvo’s in Headingley, Leeds, estimates that it will take five weeks to complete but even with Omeed’s engineering know-how and plenty of extra parts, he cannot be certain they will make it.

He said: “Naturally a long journey in a ridiculous car in a team without any relevant experience across treacherous terrain seemed like the only option.

“Let’s just say that we haven’t booked our flights home as we have no idea where we will end up.”

He added: “There is encouragement from the event organisers to drive emergency vehicles in the rally, such as fire engines and ambulances, as there is a shortage of them in Mongolia. If and when we get there, ours will be donated to a hospital to start help saving lives.”

Tom, Curt and Omeed are sponsored by Poler Stuff, The Orchard Organisation and Advansa. Between now and then they aim to raise cash for the Christine Nobel Children’s Foundation and the British Red Cross with a variety of events including a book and bake sale on Friday next week.

The trio hope to raise at least £1,000 for the charities but they also need to raise £5,000 to fund the expedition.

Organisers of the rally warn that the event is dangerous, there is no en-route support and previous participants have been injured and even killed

Their progress can be followed online at www.atillathenun.co.uk.