My story

On 1st July I leave England with Hortense, a beautifully presented 20-year old, who also happens to be a Renault 4L. We are setting out together on an overland trip to Ulaanbataar, capital of Mongolia. Why am I driving 10,000 miles in an old car that can barely reach 60 mph on a good road? Because it's time for an adventure and because in doing so I am hoping to raise lots of money for Hope and Homes for Children. This charity focuses on closing down state welfare institutions in Eastern Europe by reuniting children with their families or close relatives.

I will be part of the Mongol Rally, but am leaving three weeks before the official start date. My travels will take me a quarter of the way round the world, through France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzebekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia - over five mountain ranges and across three deserts.

If everybody who reads this donates I will reach my target of £5k. It's a modest target and I'd be pleased to raise it for such a worthy cause. Of course, I'll be meeting all my own expenses, including bail money, border control bribes, prison food subsidies and hopefully, repatriation costs.

Best wishes
-Nick

P.S. blog updates at www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/

My gallery 1

My Teams

My company

My charity

Hope and Homes for Children

Hope and Homes for Children

Charity Registration No. 1089490

Hope and Homes for Children’s mission is to give hope to the poorest children in the world – those who are orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable – by enabling them to grow up within the love of a family and the security of a home, so they can fulfil their potential. In Central and Eastern Europe, we close orphanages and move children into family-based care whilst developing the services needed to help prevent child abandonment. In Africa, we provide a vital lifeline for families at risk of breakdown due to the pressures of poverty, disease or conflict. We believe that, above all else, every child should live within a loving family environment.

Donations 267

For a great cause and in memory of Lindsay

Donation by Richard Heller on 02/06/08

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

Respect Nick! And if you are passing nearby...

Donation by Terry Kelleher on 02/06/08

£100.00

Fantastic Nick,,have an amazing adventure for a great cause

Donation by Frances Bildner on 02/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck Nick xxx

Donation by Karren Brady on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

please look after my mum's car - she doesn't know I've lent it to you.

Donation by James Herring on 02/06/08

£100.00

Good luck you old rambler

Donation by Sir Alan sugar on 02/06/08

£1,000.00

+ £282.05 Gift Aid

Your going to need plenty of luck

Donation by Daniel Sugar on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Nick - I hear Robert is having a beer for every mile!

Donation by Georgina Wald on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck Nick you'll need it

Donation by dennis baylin on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Drive carefully........

Donation by Polly Holbrook on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

bon voyage

Donation by Robert Humphreys on 02/06/08

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck, Nick

Donation by David on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of British to you

Donation by David Neve on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Nick

Donation by Andrew Bloch on 02/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Please can we film this? Good luck.

Donation by Ruby Evans on 02/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Nick! Great car!

Donation by Paul Barber on 02/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

good luck !!

Donation by sarah mcallister on 01/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£11,787.00
  • Offline donations£650.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£12,437.00
  • Gift Aid£2,319.87

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.