A PAIR of fundraising brothers are preparing to motor 1,800 miles across Europe in a 15 year old car as part of a continental charity dash.

Robert and Richard Griffiths will be joining a clutch of fellow driving teams to take part in the annual Screwball Rally, which challenges petrol heads to make it from England to Italy and back in a car worth no more than �750.

Team Griffiths snapped up their charity wagon - an R reg Ford Fiesta - for just �300 and after a few tweaks under the bonnet to make sure the it is mechanically sound they are confident their humble carriage will last the distance.

Robert, 60, from Belton, said: 'One of my colleagues at work has sponsored 10p a mile. He's banking on us not finishing it but it's �180 from him if we do. I'm going to finish it even if we have to carry the thing.'

The pair are raising money for Parkinson's UK in memory of their mum Jean, who died from the neurological condition last year aged 86.

They have covered the Fiesta with graphics, kindly donated by Global Signs in Great Yarmouth, and numbered the car 24 after the year Jean was born.

They have also received sponsorship from Oak Tree Training Ltd in Bury St Edmunds and Robert wished to thank friend and neighbour Dale Chusonis who helped design the car's graphics.

Their epic journey, which sets off on September 27, will pass through France, Switzerland, northern Italy and include a jaunt through Liechtenstein. Teams have five days to complete the course and will camp en route.

Robert, a self employed paramedic, added: 'It will be the first thing my brother and I have ever done together. We both left school and did our own thing. We're looking forward to it, we just want to get going now.'

The dad of two will start their charity ride by driving to Suffolk to collect his brother before going on to Dover to meet up with other screwballers and head to Europe. He also wished to thank

? To donate to their drive visit www.justgiving.com/Richard-Griffiths8