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

Best of luck - hope the old girl gets you round!

Donation by Alex (Nobby) Horner on 04/07/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

You have the missionary zeal of that Campion chappy

Donation by Greg&Joy Georgeson on 03/07/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Great cause! Good luck and I look forward to hearing all about it on your return x

Donation by Rachel Yates on 03/07/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck Nick, from everyone at SpeedFerries

Donation by SpeedFerries on 03/07/08

£49.00

Best of luck - it sounds like a really good cause.

Donation by Rob T on 02/07/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

We think you're mad ! - but enjoy yourself and good luck.

Donation by Stuart & Barbara Macpherson on 02/07/08

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

I will say a prayer each day until you return.

Donation by levick coulthurst on 02/07/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Hope all goes well! A very worthy cause. All the best!

Donation by Lee on 02/07/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck .We are all looking forward to following your progress on your blog all the best dan ps dont push the old girl to hard!!!!!!!!

Donation by daniel edmenson on 01/07/08

£60.00

+ £16.92 Gift Aid

I had a Ronnie Renault and it was my best ever car !

Donation by eva bickerton on 01/07/08

£10.00

Hope Hortense gives you a good ride. Good luck to you both.

Donation by Geoff Salt on 01/07/08

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

good luck

Donation by Simon and Jennifer Melliss on 30/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Hang a left at Ulan Bator. Very best wishes, Desmond

Donation by Desmond Quigley on 28/06/08

£100.00

May the luck of the Irish go with you!!

Donation by Tricia O'Brien on 28/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

If you purse your lips when you've completed the drive and post a pic I'll double the money and I be

Donation by Georgie (Apprentice fan) on 27/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Most impressed, particularly with you chosing a car that never topped any league tables for reliability. My PA says hers gave nothing but trouble!

Donation by Michael Deeny on 26/06/08

£200.00

+ £56.41 Gift Aid

"Who likes fast cars? Boys like fast cars. Boys with money like fast cars"-Nick Hewer

Donation by C. Scot Cru on 26/06/08

£250.00

Fantastic effort Nick!

Donation by Paul Kerr on 26/06/08

£10.00

V. good cause! My fav is Shooting Star Children's Hospice at Hampton Middx but anything to help needy kids is a worthwhile charity

Donation by Mike Reynolds on 26/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Much love and Good Luck!

Donation by Michele and Philip Kurland on 25/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck in what looks like a beauty !

Donation by Nicky Leggatt on 24/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

All the very best for your challenge in waiting

Donation by Simon, Elizabeth & Morgan Goodred on 24/06/08

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

Bon voyage et bonne chance.

Donation by Heather Holden-Brown on 23/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck , I hope Sir Alan at least doubles all the money you raise!

Donation by An Apprentice Fan on 21/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Go Nick!

Donation by Tim Moore on 21/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 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.