IT’S one of the toughest charity challenges on Earth - driving 10,000 miles across 16 countries with no set route or support crews - and now one couple is gearing up to take on the Mongol Rally.

Simon Brookes and Sara Care will be taking six weeks off from their catering business, Purple Carrot Catering, to embark on the 10,000-mile challenge for Cool Earth and the Global Justice Now Campaign.

The Team Purple Carrot pair will be crossing 16 countries in their £700, one-litre Daihatsu Extol van, relying on the old-fashioned art of map-reading. They will have no back up, no set route to follow and no support on the journey.

The rally starts on Sunday, July 17 from Goodwood, Chichester so the couple have only days left to make their final preparations. They have been readying themselves for this adventure for about two years.

They will be funding their trip themselves and aim to raise £1,500 for the two charities. Cool Earth is the chosen charity of the Mongol Rally and they have chosen to support Global Justice Now Campaign as their second charity because they "campaign on some really important issues and are a charity that look at helping the world by addressing some of the biggest global issues" said Sara.

Simon described his feelings as "a mixture of fear and excitement". He said: "We’re seeing it as a holiday/adventure to take a break from our busy catering business and do something for charity at the same time. The more we look into it though the more we realise how hardcore and dangerous it is going to be. There will be a lot of areas where we will be in danger but we do have experience of travelling in dangerous countries."

While they are in Iran they will need to be accompanied by a guide which will require adding another seat to the "farcically small van". They will also need to make sure that the van is well insulated because the temperatures in Iran are expected to be around 44 degrees in the shade.

Sara said: "The country I’m most looking forward to seeing is Iran because the food and culture there will be amazing. It’s also a good opportunity to see the countries that you wouldn’t usually go to for a holiday. You hear a lot about these countries but don’t know how much of it is actually true. I’m also looking forward to travelling the Silk Road through Uzbekistan."

They are planning to scrap the van at the end of the rally and fly back from Russia. Simon said: "There is a lot of rust underneath the van so we don’t want to keep it afterwards but we think we will make it there."

Simon and Sara plan to share the driving as much as possible but Sara will be in charge of the navigation as they will not have sat nav to rely on.

Sara said: "I am starting to feel a bit apprehensive. Up until now I’ve been concentrating on the paperwork but it’s starting to feel more real now."

The route they will be travelling will start in the UK, driving across Europe, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pamir Highway, Kazakhstan, Siberia, through Mongolia and finally across the finish line at Ulan-Ude, Russia.

Sara and Simon have thanked the local businesses who have sponsored them for their efforts - Brynich Barn, The Welsh Venison Centre and Penpont Estate.

Team Purple Carrot will be running a competition for those who decide to donate. If you donate £5 or more you will be entered into a raffle with the chance to win a three course meal for six people at a location of your choice as long as it’s within an hour’s radius of Brecon. The meal can be chosen from the Purple Carrot website: http://www.purplecarrotcatering.com/dinner%20party%20menus.htm

If you would like to support their fundraising efforts, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/mongolrally2016