Mongolian adventure for Asfordby bride
A NEWLYWED couple is going on a honeymoon with a difference – driving 14,000km from London to Mongolia in an tiny Fiat Panda in the name of charity.
It will be a challenging start to married life for Helen Woolnough and Neil Melville who are taking part in the Mongol Rally.
The event requires participants to drive from London to Ulaanbataar in Mongolia, in a car with an engine of less than 1.2 litres, in less than six weeks and raising at least £2,000 for charity.
The couple, will travel through cities and deserts, across continents and mountain ranges in aid of the Lotus Children’s Centre in Mongolia and UNICEF.
Taking them on the crazy journey - and through some of the toughest terrain in the world - will be a 2003 1108cc Fiat Panda, which they have named ‘Cheeky Charlie’ and which they describe as ‘a vehicle better suited for your grandma to use to pop to the shops.’
Helen, originally from Asfordby, met Neil while they were studying in York. They will set off on their honeymoon adventure after their July 14 wedding.
Helen said: “There’s precious little chance for genuine adventure in the world today, and the safety and ubiquity of the tourist trap is hard to escape from.
“This is a chance to do something truly challenging and our crazy trip will benefit children in need all over the world.”
She added: “The danger and altitude of the Pamir highway (starts in Afghanistan and goes on through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) and the desolation of the Gobi desert are terrifying.
“But the biggest challenge has to be the car itself. A lot of the route isn’t real roads and we’re going to take it through some of the world’s harshest terrain.”
It will be a challenging start to married life for Helen Woolnough and Neil Melville who are taking part in the Mongol Rally.
The event requires participants to drive from London to Ulaanbataar in Mongolia, in a car with an engine of less than 1.2 litres, in less than six weeks and raising at least £2,000 for charity.
The couple, will travel through cities and deserts, across continents and mountain ranges in aid of the Lotus Children’s Centre in Mongolia and UNICEF.
Taking them on the crazy journey - and through some of the toughest terrain in the world - will be a 2003 1108cc Fiat Panda, which they have named ‘Cheeky Charlie’ and which they describe as ‘a vehicle better suited for your grandma to use to pop to the shops.’
Helen, originally from Asfordby, met Neil while they were studying in York. They will set off on their honeymoon adventure after their July 14 wedding.
Helen said: “There’s precious little chance for genuine adventure in the world today, and the safety and ubiquity of the tourist trap is hard to escape from.
“This is a chance to do something truly challenging and our crazy trip will benefit children in need all over the world.”
She added: “The danger and altitude of the Pamir highway (starts in Afghanistan and goes on through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) and the desolation of the Gobi desert are terrifying.
“But the biggest challenge has to be the car itself. A lot of the route isn’t real roads and we’re going to take it through some of the world’s harshest terrain.”
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