Skipton’s Ermysted’s Grammar School will be well represented in the gruelling Mongol Rally, which starts on Saturday.

Last week, we reported that former pupil Max Brear, 28, from Cononley, had joined forces with university friend Neil Rzechorzek to tackle the five-week 10,000 mile journey to the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.

But also at the start line at Goodwood racecourse will be two other Ermysted’s old boys – Matthew Brown and Richard Holden. They, along with university friend Lauren Donnelly, are competing in the rally under the team name “Driving Miss Donnelly”.

“Richard has already done a student rally to Croatia and enjoyed that,” said Matthew, who was brought up in Barnoldswick and is currently studying for a Masters degree at University College London (UCL). “When he suggested doing a bigger one, further away, it appealed to me.

“I am looking forward to it, but I am also slightly worried. I just hope everything comes together. It will be a great adventure,” said 24-year-old Matthew.

Fellow team-mate Richard, who is from Grindleton, has had to take time out from his job with the Conservative Party in London, while Lauren is currently completing a law conversion course.

The trio have bought a “temperamental” eight-year-old Citroen Saxo for the challenge, which will see them journey through Europe, Turkey, along the borders of Iran, and through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

Matthew said: “The 10,000 miles will be a test not only of the car, but of our own resourcefulness as we cross physically and politically hostile terrain with the aim of arriving in Mongolia within 28 days.

“None of us has any mechanical knowledge, so we are hoping not to suffer too many breakdowns.

“We have already encountered unhealthy amounts of bureaucracy in the process of arranging visas and vehicle documents for countries which aren’t familiar with the concept of tourism.

“Over recent weeks, the political protests in Iran have forced us to recalculate our route slightly and the Embassy in Turkmenistan has insisted we prove ourselves free from swine flu. Apart from these recent hitches, we are just about ready for the launch this Saturday.”

The team is hoping to raise £1,000 for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, which provides healthcare, accommodation and education to Ulaanbataar’s many street children. So far they have been pledged £650 and have until September to reach their target.

After the race, the trio will donate the car to the charity before heading home via the Trans Siberian Express.

People can make a donation at justgiving.com/drivingmissdonnelly or via the team’s own website drivingmissdonnelly.co.uk where updates will be posted throughout the rally.