We are four old ladies who will this September be taking part in the Banger Rally challenge to Pompeii to raise money for a charity close to our hearts.

As part of the challenge we will be driving a clapped out old motor to the south of Italy, passing various checkpoints along the way and all without the use of a Sat-Nav putting our map reading skills to the test.

We are hoping Cornish businesses will support us and to draw even more attention to ourselves we have decided to carry out the challenge dressed as old women.

So we have a car, we've raided Truro's charity shops and all we need now is some support. We're looking for both donations towards our costs (ferry, insurance, entry fee etc) and people to sponsor us for our efforts. Any companies wishing to donate will get logos on our banger and anyone sponsoring us will be directly supporting Valued Lives. For more information on Valued Lives visit their website

The team

Mike Smallcombe, a 30-year-old author and journalist from Newquay, said: “I love both travelling and socialising, so what better way to raise money for a cause that is very close to my heart? I’ll keep this short… Eight years ago I lost my mum because of mental illness, she took her own life. She was 50, I was 22. Her symptoms began when I was just ten years old - to see what was happening and not fully understanding why was devastating. Over the last year or two, I've realised I didn’t cope too well with what happened; it greatly affected my mental health too. It’s for these deeply personal reasons that I wish to raise as much money as possible for the mental healthy charity Valued Lives. She didn't make it, but together we can make a difference to other lives.”

Chris Matthews, another 30-year-old journalist and court reporter from Helston, said: “I’m a keen traveller and having visited more than 40 countries I am really excited about our Banger Rally adventure. My other interests are sport, music and exploration of the outdoors. Mental health is something that affects us all whether directly or indirectly and I am hoping that the public will be kind enough to support our fundraising efforts so Cornish people can overcome all kinds of mental health related difficulties.”

Graeme Wilkinson, the wrong side of 40 from Praze, said: “I’ve spent the last six reporting in Cornwall, first on the West Briton and latterly on Cornwall Live. I am about to embark on a new career working on behalf of the Royal Navy here in Cornwall. My family has been touched by mental health issues and this is a great way to give something back.”

Alex Graves, not quite 40 from Truro, said: “I used to work with Graeme, Mike and Chris and now run my own design agency in Truro. I have been on two previous banger rally’s and the appeal to do another was just too much.

“Raising money for Valued Lives is our way of saying thank you to them and all those who work in mental health for the amazing job they do to help those affected. My mum has suffered in the past with issues and has tried to take her own life twice. The help and treatment she received in her troubled times, mean me and my family still have her here and for that we are ever grateful.”

You can find out more about our project on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourbangerrally and on Twitter https://twitter.com/OurBangerRally. You can keep up-to-date on our journey and see the sights we pass along the way on Instagram, @ourbangerrally

For more information about the rally click here