THREE friends from Abergavenny are to drive to Mongolia in a Nissan Micra that is almost as old as they are.

Robert Morgan, Sion Thomas and Rhys Briggs, all 22, will be setting off on July 20 for their adventure, raising money for St David’s Hospice Care as well as the environmental charity Cool Earth as part of the Mongol Rally.

The three, who have known each other since they were four or five years old, went to Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni Primary School together and then on to Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw in Pontypool.

Although they are now dispersed across the UK at university they will be reuniting for the trip, which will take six weeks.

They plan to cross Europe and Turkey before taking a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan.

They will then carry on through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia before finishing in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

The 1993 Nissan will have no SatNav to guide them through Mongolia, where even mobile phones are unlikely to work.

So far, the three have raised around £300 of their £1,000 fundraising target.

Mr Morgan, of the Plas Derwen area, said: “We got the car from a garage in Hereford for £450. I probably have the most mechanical knowledge of the three of us – but it’s not the best.

“St David’s have helped some of my family and Sion’s family as well and I have raised money for them in the past.

“I’m excited at the moment – it’s becoming more real.”

* Visit facebook.com/thesmartcasualsrally to find out more and to donate.