Rally team prepares for trip from Shetland to Mongolia

Two men with Shetland connections are part of a driving team taking part in the Mongolian Charity Rally.

Peter Kerr who works at the Met Office at the Lerwick Observatory, will join Robert Smith and two friends from Aberdeen to enter the race.

The rally, organised by British adventure charity Go Help, starts at Horseguards Parade near Buckingham Palace on 6th July and will see the intrepid adventurers drive across Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia in a vehicle that will be donated to the charity.

“The Mongol Troopers” are starting from Shetland and will travel across most of the UK to get to the official start point.

Peter said: “We will be well on our way before most teams have started packing their vehicles.”

The team members hope to take four weeks to complete the 6,000 mile drive and deliver their vehicle to the charity.

Robert said: “This is going to be an adventure, but firstly this is to help a charity and we’ll most probably be taking a van which can be used by the charity or sold to raise funds.

“Being stuck in a van for 6,000 miles is going to make it a long month but I’m sure I will get on well with Peter most of the time. It’s better not to think about the inevitable breakdowns, border crossing problems and poor road conditions on the trip. As long as I’m in charge of the car stereo everything should be fine.”

As part of the rally the “Mongol Troopers” committed to raising £2,000 for Go Help but are also raising funds for RNLI and CLAN along the way.

Robert said: “I am hoping that in the next couple of weeks I will be announcing a couple of charity events that raise interest in our adventure and the causes we have selected.”

Peter added: “Fund-raising is always challenging but Shetland always pulls out the stops when it comes to a good cause.”

The Troopers have been impressed with the business community and the support they have offered.

Robert said: “I spent a couple of days contacting local businesses and the response I got was great. We are offering vehicle sponsorship at £50 which buys a decal measuring 45cm x 65cm – not only does it advertise the business in a different way but it also shows a commitment to charitable causes.

“Although I haven’t been able to get round everyone yet the space is now available to buy on our website at www.mongoltroopers.co.uk. Only in the Northern Isles could you find community spirit like this where people are really interested in what we are doing and willing to help.”

Peter added: “We’ve also allowed an option on our website for people to buy a gallon of fuel for our trip at £2.50. It’s not often anyone gets to buy a gallon of petrol at that price and it makes a great donation to our trip.”