AN INTREPID duo from Malmesbury are currently traversing central Europe as they compete in this year’s Mongol Rally.

Jonathan Tucker and Charles Barder are living out of the back of a Fiat Doblo for nearly a month as they complete the arduous 7,000 miles from Wiltshire to the Russian city of Ulan-Ude near Lake Baikal.

Jonathan and Charlie will pass through western Europe, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Mongolia before reaching the finishing line in Russia.

They have taken everything they need with them including all fuel, spare parts, medicines, camping equipment and food supplies as the rules of the rally state that support teams are not allowed.

Jonathan said: “Charlie and I are very confident and excited about the trip.

“The cars in the Mongol Rally must be old, cheap and have an engine size of 1.2 litres or less but we've tried to ensure that, despite its age, the car is in good shape for the journey.

“LJ Cooper's garage in Hankerton have carried out a thorough pre-service on the car and have also shown us how to do running repairs when needed.”

The final stipulation of the rules says that participants must raise at least £1,000 for charity, a target that Jonathan and Charlie have already smashed.

They’ve raised £12,000 so far but still hope to reach £15,000 overall for their chosen charities, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Mary’s Meals, the Cool Earth charity and Child Bereavement UK.

Jonathan has written three books about the Silk Road, the network of ancient trade routes between Asia and Europe that they will follow.

“I have not yet visited the remoter parts of Kazakhstan or Mongolia and am looking forward to this”, he said.

“We are also planning to visit Chernobyl, the depleted margins of the Aral Sea and watch a Soyuz V rocket launched from the space centre at Baikonur in late July.”

To donate to Jonathan and Charlie’s cause, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JonathanTucker1 or uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharlesBarder