While most people are still trying to shake off the excesses of the festive season, two Tenby men have started 2013 rattling through the deserts of India in a 150cc rickshaw.

Will Griffiths and team mate John Heffernan, aka the Tenby Pirates, are taking part in the 2013 Adventurists Rickshaw Run.

Described as a ‘glorified lawnmower’ and notorious for breaking down, the Pirates have to trust their rickshaw, emblazoned with Welsh flags, to take them the 3,000kms between Jaisalmer, near the Pakistan border, to Cochin on India’s far north-west coast.

Setting off on Tuesday they have two weeks to reach the finish line. The Rickshaw Run organisers do not prescribe a route, but leave it to each of the run’s 70 teams to find their way across the subcontinent.

Will and John have set off without even a road map, relying on a compass and a trusted guide book to get them nearly 2,000 miles across India.

Will said: “We were going to book accommodation before we left, but we’ve just decided to wing it and see what happens.

“We got the impression people are quite friendly there so we are going to throw ourselves at the mercy of strangers and leave ourselves in the lap of the gods.”

The pirates are participating in the run to raise money for three charities; Frank Water Aid, Macmillan Cancer Research and the Tanyard Youth Project.

They have already raised £705 through sponsorship and are hoping that the total will soar before they complete the run.

“It’s the first time in India for both of us,” added Will.

“We don’t know what to expect. We’re going to rely on the generosity of the Indian people to ensure we’re heading in the right direction. We’re planning nothing and will take it as it comes.”

To sponsor the Tenby pirates go to: http://uk.virginmoney giving.com and type Will Griffiths into the search.

To follow the Pirates’ adventures go to www.the adventurists.com/rickshawrun.