We have bought some clapped-out old Fiat Pandas, done them up with our own blood, sweat and elbow grease and then will be driving 3,000km across the rugged terrain of Morocco. We have no previous car mechanic experience and have learned everything as we have gone along.

There will be desert heat, sub-zero temperatures atop the Atlas Mountains and no roads to speak of. Backs will be sore, tents will be slept it, Pandas will be wedged in the ground and rivers will be crossed - all in the name of charity.

We have funded the purchase, insurance, enhancements, fuel, travel and accommodation ourselves so 100% of donations will go straight to the Haven House charity. Haven House provides residential and community services from Woodford Green, East London for babies, children and young people with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. They have expert care, physiotherapists and councillors to help the children and their families deal with extremely difficult times.

We started in February 2016 when we split into teams: Alastair and David bought a red 1995 Fiat Panda nicknamed 'Princess'. She has driven like a dream ever since, only breaking down once and surviving a large Jaguar reversing into her in a car park. Princess has lived an interesting life, having resided in France, Italy, Greece & Corfu (according to the MOT history) she lived in Portsmouth for the last few years. With all original parts and 82,000 miles on the clock she is a faded red (pink) colour, full of character and a propensity for turning heads.

Meanwhile, Juan and Manu went even more old-school and bought a green 1993 Panda nicknamed 'Leonarda'. She's been more of a problem child than Princess - having been in a crash in an earlier life she is slightly mis-aligned, had a rust hole the size of a dinner plate and managed to wriggle loose from her chassis recently. Fortunately, Juan and Manu benefit from engineering ingenuity and have recovered her to be road-worthy and fully capable (we hope) of making it across the Sahara.