Charity men on 'poor man's rally'

Team Rangoli will face rough terrain and the threat of banditry

A 4,100-mile (6,600km) charity drive to Africa in a converted 18-year-old Volvo has set out from Kent.

Glenn Fitzpatrick and Caspar Mays, from Canterbury, are taking part in The Bamako Run - described as a "poor man's version" of the Paris-Dakar Rally.

They left Canterbury on Saturday, bound for Bamako, the capital of Mali.

They have already raised more than £1,500 for the Demelza House Children's Hospice in Kent. The Volvo will be auctioned in aid of schools in Mali.

Mr Fitzpatrick and Mr Mays, both 35, hope to complete their challenge in 24 days.

The pair, calling themselves Team Rangoli, intend to split the driving 50/50 between them.

The Volvo has a red flame design and fake zebra fur interior

Their F-registration Volvo 360 GLE was donated by the Old City Bar in Canterbury.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who served in the Gulf War, said: "I've driven rough terrain before that was in a tank.

"It's not the most appropriate car, but it was a gift so we couldn't really turn it down.

"Funnily enough it's hardly even been used. There's 38,00 miles on the clock, the engine's good to go and it's been mechanically checked over and over again.

"Once we reach Mali, we'll auction off the car and whatever funds we make we'll contribute to the local villages."

Their first leg is taking them across the English Channel and down through France and Spain.

The Bamako Run also takes in Gibraltar, Morocco and Mauritania.