AN intrepid couple from Hillingdon will be driving 10,000 miles in a car that’s falling apart for charity this summer.

Elena Sikdar and Michele Daryanani, both 29, will be taking part in the Mongol Rally in a £250 car bought on eBay.

The annual rally involves teams driving from London to Russia, without sat-nav. The rules state: “Drivers can take any car, as long as it’s crap and with an engine of one litre or less. It's no fun if it's too easy.”

It’s a sentiment Michele, of Blossom Way, Hillingdon, agrees with.

“We originally wanted to buy a small 4x4,” he said, “but then we thought where’s the fun in that?

"In the end, we bought a 2001 Nissan Micra online and, as we drove it home, the bumper literally fell off!”

The couple have been together for four years and are keen motoring enthusiasts. Michele, an IT consultant, has lived in Hillingdon for 14 years.

He has driven in the White Hart rally from Plymouth to Dakar, while Elena, a geologist, is a rally marshal for the Motor Sports Association.

They hope to raise £33,333 for rainforest charity Cool Earth by completing several wacky challenges on the way, including wrestling in Turkey and eating yak’s testicles in Mongolia.

In spite of their route passing through two deserts and along the border of war-torn Iraq, the couple are upbeat.

“I am ridiculously excited about this 10,000-mile adventure exploring the world in a far from suitable car,” Elena said.

She added, however, “I’m not sure if it’s a challenge or just complete insanity.”

However they remain clear as to their motivation.

“If we can raise awareness for Cool Earth and save any portion of the Amazon rainforest, it will be worth it,” said Michele.