THREE friends are getting ready to set off on a gruelling drive halfway around the world in a beaten up rusty Vauxhall – all in the name of charity.

Newton Abbot man Ollie Jenks is teaming up with his two pals Aidan Phillips and Sam Spry to take on this year’s Mongol Rally.

The trio, who met in Vietnam, will be driving the ‘most ridiculous’ Jurassic Park-themed car more than 10,000 miles from Newton Abbot to Mongolia.

Massive mountain ranges, vast tracts of desert and some of the world’s roughest terrain all form part of the group’s cross-country route.

They will be driving through central Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia until they reach Mongolia.

Organisers of the annual rally insist entrants must use a vehicle with a one-litre engine or smaller, must complete the task without any help and raise at least £1,000 for charity.

Ollie, who works as a tour guide in Vietnam, revealed he was very excited and nervous about the upcoming adventure.

The three buddies are on a mission to raise £1,500 for two chosen charities and are urging people to get behind their campaign.

Cool Earth, a charity fighting deforestation, and the RNLI will each take a share of the boys’ fundraising efforts.

So far the brave trio have raised £425 through their online fundraising page.

Ollie said: ‘We are after sponsors to help out with absolutely anything. We are trying to muster up as much support as possible.

‘Primarily we are looking for local sponsors and companies to help us out. Spare wheels, camping chairs or even mouldy baked beans!’

The three friends spent a weekend in Lyme Regis shooting a promotional video based on Steven Spielberg’s smash-hit movie Jurassic Park.

To watch the video type in ‘Tyrannosaurus Wreck’ on Facebook or YouTube.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the trio can do so by visiting mydonate.bt.com/

fundraisers/twreckrally.

The friends will be setting off from Newton Abbot on July 12.