Okay okay, so I accept John O’Groats to Land’s End is not that far..... in fact our ‘planned’ route is just a little over 1200 miles. So how can that be an adventure or endurance challenge?  Well it’s not that I don’t know what either of them necessarily mean, as having completed several desert crossings in a variety of vehicles and been the first Brit to ever complete the Dakar held in Argentina and Peru, I have experienced those moments of adventure and endurance where all seems lost, coupled with sheer exhaustion to the point of hallucination.  But as in life, sometimes you have to dig deep and do just one more little bit and then again just one more little bit. So given that, how is this tiny trip not even leaving the UK, endurance?

Well for a start our vehicle is not built for distance of any sort!! It’s a 1955 Land Rover pickup showing the test of time and a very hard life!

My co driver who will be helping during the inevitable breakdowns and sharing the cab for up to 8 hours a day, camping and staying in each other’s space at all times, is my 7 year old daughter...... (now those amongst us who have done just a 4 hour trip with children in a modern car with maybe a radio, or DVD player to distract them from the “are we there yet!” think back ..... 12 days, between 3 and 8 hours per day, no radio, no air con, child doing the navigation without assistance...... surely you now do nothing more than consider this an endurance event of one of the highest types.... I think the Dakar will be a walk in the park by comparison; I mean even on that you get a rest day!!)

So why are we doing it? Well personally, it’s to strengthen that magical bond between daddy and daughter..... For my daughter it’s to see the natural beauty of our surroundings, to grow in confidence and not be worried by unplanned experiences that will undoubtedly happen along the way, but in a safe environment.... to give her lifelong memories!

But also, and more importantly in so many ways, we are doing this to raise awareness and money for a very special charity I was lucky enough to be invited to hear more about earlier this year.  I was just inspired and energised by the sheer positivity of every person in that charity, whether that be an employee, volunteer, or indeed even a recipient of the amazing charity Ellen MacArthur trust.

We need you.... If anyone can help raise the profile of this car and our little adventure to bring attention and money to an inspiring charity then please do - all ideas welcome!

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