A group of four friends will set off on an intercontinental adventure of a lifetime this weekend in aid of Hospice Isle of Man.
Supported by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Team Mad Manx is embarking on a 10,000 mile road trip from the Isle of Man to Mongolia in a three-door, rainbow fur-covered Toyota hatchback.
Locals Adam Callister, Fern Callister and Katharine Watling, along with Dan Simpson, who hails from Australia, will take on 21 countries in 75 days as part of the formidable Mongol Rally. The team of four will make their way from Douglas to the start line in Czech Republic, where they will have until Monday 16th September to reach the Siberian town of Ulan-Ude.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is offering its support by providing Team Mad Max with free of charge ferry travel to the UK for the first leg of their journey.
With an emphasis on adventure, there is no set route, guidance, supervision or support provided by the event organisers, The Adventurists. This means that teams are completely on their own and left to their own devices as they make their way to the finish line across Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, in a small car with a 1.2 litre engine or less.
Fundraising is an important part of the experience, with each team required to raise a minimum of £1,000 for charity. £500 must be donated to Cool Earth, the organisers’ chosen charity which works to protect the Amazon rainforests and its indigenous populations, and £500 towards a charity of their choice, Hospice Isle of Man.
Team Mad Manx organiser Adam said: ‘After months of preparation we’re excited to finally be on our way, it’s going to be an incredible experience. With 75 days of solid driving ahead of us in a 20-year-old banger, across every type of terrain imaginable, it’s not going to be easy and we fully expect to find it testing at times – but that is all part of the fun!
‘A big thank you to the Steam Packet Company for its sponsorship, its support has been a big help in keeping our expenses down. We’ve already smashed our £1,000 fundraising target and hope we can keep going for these two deserving causes, Hospice Isle of Man and Cool Earth.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Team Mad Manx is very courageous taking on the Mongol Rally, it is certainly no mean feat. They are completing it for two fantastic charities and we wish them a safe, exhilarating and unforgettable adventure.’
To follow Team Mad Manx’s journey and to donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/team-mad-manx.
Team Mad Manx is embarking on a 10,000 mile road trip from the Isle of Man to Mongolia in a three-door, rainbow fur-covered hatchback
