TWO friends are about to set out on a four-day car rally across Europe in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

Motor mechanic Jamie Paton, 42, of Sycamore Way, Barnoldswick, and engineer Daryl Davenport, 36, of Casserley Road, Colne, have renovated a 16-year-old Saab convertible to take part in the 2018 Screwball Charity Rally.

Ninety cars will be setting out from Calais on September 20 and over the next five days will be driving through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland and back to Calais covering a total of 1,800 miles.

Jamie, who runs J P Autoteknique, Primet Business Centre, Colne, said: “Neither of us has ever done anything like this before. The organisers point out its not a race but a rally and that the real winners are the charities each car will be earning money for.”

Jamie, who is one of the top radio controlled car racers in the UK, added: “The rule is your car hasn’t to cost more than £700. Our Saab cost £500 and we have done a lot of work on it to ensure it lasts the course – even so I might take a few tools just in case!

“Our friends at Autocare, Colne, have provided the tyres, and Super Auto Saver, Nelson, all of the spare parts we needed. We have also had other companies sponsor us and we will be carrying their stickers on the car. When we get back we will sell the car with all the stickers and whatever profit we make will go to the hospice.”

Both Jamie and Daryl, who owns D D Industrial Services, Colne, will be sharing the driving.

Their young families will be following their progress on the Pendleside Facebook page where hospice fundraiser Leah Hutchinson will update a daily blog with pictures detailing their journey.

Anyone wishing to donate to their fund should visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamiepaton3

Jamie said: “Both me and Daryl have had close relatives who have suffered cancer and been treated and cared for by the hospice so we both know what a a wonderful place it is and how much it relies on fundraising of all sorts. We just want to do our bit.”

Jamie’s mum Denise Hinks works as a volunteer in Pendleside’s Barnoldswick shop.

The competitors in the Screwball Rally meet up in Kent next Wednesday and stay overnight on a campsite before catching the ferry from Dover to Calais where the rally begins. Each night they will stay on specially prepared campsites and have to pass a breath-test before setting off the following morning.