Duncan tackles major adventure in his Mini
A Chichester man is set to take on the world in his trusty yellow Mini for the third time to raise money for charity.
Normally used to Britain's motorways as a lorry driver, Duncan Mortimer will be taking on the open roads of the Australian outback and the barren landscape of Mongolia as part of his eight-month journey.
It has taken the 51-year-old more than two years to prepare for the trip with mountains of paperwork and visas, and the job of finding sponsors to fund the venture.
He is hoping to raise 50,000 for three charities – Cancer Research UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Help for Heroes.
His first trip in 1996 started as a fundraiser for Imperial Cancer Research UK as his dad had been diagnosed with cancer at the time.
"Why should a child have cancer when it's not even had a chance to live," he said.
"When you see those beautiful children who are going to die from cancer it is heart-breaking."
His journey starts in New York on May 15 and he will spend about eight weeks in America before his car is shipped off to Japan.
While the Mini is at sea Mr Mortimer will cycle 500 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a journey he hopes will take eight days.
He is hoping to get as far as Thailand by November where he will meet up with his wife. He will spend Christmas there before setting off again in the new year.
"It is very intensive," he said. "That's why most people don't do it. The Mini is such a fun car to drive.
"I've always liked driving, I'll never tire of it, apart from when it's for work."
He is hoping to cover 300 miles a day based on doing 50mph, which might not be the case along some of the rough roads.
His route takes him through America, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland, Germany and France.
In some parts of the world he will be parking his car at police stations to keep it off the streets.
He has prepared for every eventuality by even including a spare engine and gear box and his camping gear.
"Part and parcel of the journey is the car breaking down," he said.
"I love camping, when I can't I'll sleep in the car, and when I can't do that I'll sleep in a doss house somewhere.
"Going by yourself there is no one to share the journey with, a million photos will not have the same effect."
After the 1999 trip he made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest drive in a Mini, which stands at 22,655.4 miles.
To keep up to date with Mr Mortimer's adventure and to find the online links to donate to the charities visit www.ctw937t.com
What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.
Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news
To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.
MAP
Email to a friend
Print this page- UPDATE: Mother pushed daughter to safety before being hit by lorry in Chichester
- People in Sussex to elect first ever police commissioner
- ‘Isolation’ fear as plans for 500 new homes in Chichester is backed
- Space for business needed at new Chichester site
- South Harting villagers protest as police escort mobile home to disputed travellers’ site
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Chichester
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
