Fundraisers to deliver fire engine to Outer Mongolia

A group of fundraisers hope to finish a 10,000 mile rally taking place over six weeks in an old fire engine.

The team of four are taking part in the Mongol Rally and are planning on donating the redundant fire engine once the journey has been completed.

The vehicle, which was used by fire crews at a station in Stalybridge, will be passed on to the Ulaanbaatar fire authorities in the country’s capital.

There will be around 400 teams competing in the charity rally which is due to begin this coming Saturday. It will start from the West Sussex race track at Goodwood.

One of the fundraisers, Steven Smith of Portincaple, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, said:

“It’s a charity rally to drive from here in the UK to Outer Mongolia.

“We’re hoping we can get it across Europe, then on to Russia and Kazakhstan, then cross the Mongolian Steppe and Southern Gobi desert to reach the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.”

Colin Taylor, from Gairlochead, explained that the vehicle was to be donated to Mongolian emergency services.

“We’ve got a serviceable vehicle.

“…and Strathclyde Fire Brigade have very kindly had a look at it, and we’ve had some equipment from them.

“When we get to Mongolia, it’s hopefully going to go into service for local people, bringing it back to life as a working fire engine.”

The route the team will take will encompass from 10 to 12 countries and around 10,000 miles in total.