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

Come back safely for the next series - I've always thought you are the real star of the show!

Donation by Apprentice Fan on 11/06/08

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

I'm very impressed! Good Luck!

Donation by Jo Evangelides on 10/06/08

£20.00

What a fantastic adventure - and for such a great cause.

Donation by Dan Simmons on 10/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Belinda on 10/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

keep flossing all the way

Donation by Gareth Roberts on 10/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Bentham House forever!

Donation by Ewen Balfour on 10/06/08

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

Return safely. See you next time you are in Dublin.

Donation by Auntie D. on 10/06/08

£20.00

Will look forward to welcoming you safely back home

Donation by Sarah Wilson on 10/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Lovely car....

Donation by Patrick Ferguson on 10/06/08

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Hope you find the 'Last Disco..' Best of luck, Nick.

Donation by Jeremy Phillips on 10/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck!

Donation by Paul Beer on 10/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

This is a real journey! Good Luck Nick

Donation by Jana Bennett on 10/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

I only know you through that fantastic TV program but it is such a great charity that I had to suppo

Donation by Michelle Hayes on 09/06/08

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

With best wishes, Nick. Nice overalls

Donation by GG on 09/06/08

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck

Donation by Tony Dean on 09/06/08

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

Best of luck on this epic trip for a fantastic charity!

Donation by James Max on 09/06/08

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

Drive safely! Good luck on your wonderful adventure. Jacqueline x

Donation by Jacqueline Gold on 09/06/08

£200.00

Good luck Nick! I think you should have taken an old mechanic with you...

Donation by Jack & Sue Hay on 09/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

What a great adventure and good cause. You can use our donation for the mounting petrol costs. Good luck!

Donation by Andrea Sprunt & Ed Taylor on 09/06/08

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck Nick, try not to let your camera get stolen this time!

Donation by Ashley Rolfe on 09/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck and God Bless you on your trip!!

Donation by Saira Khan on 09/06/08

£100.00

I hope you are as durable as the laptop!

Donation by mike ray on 09/06/08

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

I wish you a great adventure with the night rider! Lola & the clan

Donation by Lola Perez on 09/06/08

£20.00

Quite marvellous! What a wonderful fundraising endeavour - best wishes for a splendid fruitful trip!

Donation by Jos Bell on 09/06/08

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

Hope Maud won't be jealous!

Donation by David Sheila & Frank the dog on 08/06/08

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$17,745.49
  • Offline donations$978.58
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$18,724.08
  • Gift Aid$3,492.60

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