Chicken coop gets just deserts
3:30pm Sunday 23rd December 2007
An old banger which was used as a chicken coop for two years has been brought back to life to cross the Sahara desert in a 4,000 mile charity rally.
Rachel Hicks, of Lawrenny will be taking the old Range Rover down the primitive tracks of the west coast of Africa as part of the Plymouth - Banjul challenge.
The rally is part gumball rally, part adventure holiday in which cars can only cost £100 to buy and £15 to repair.
The aim is to get vehicles to the Gambian capital where they can be auctioned off to raise money for schools and vital building work.
Students from Pembrokeshire college came to the rescue when they heard about the challenge to drive to the car to the Gambia.
Motor vehicle instructor Alex Edwards said: "The students have been working on this all term. They all love it because it's a real car with a real journey ahead of it. They've learned a lot and we are a little sad to see it go"
Rachel, who is chief executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism, said: "I've got a great sense of adventure but no sense of car engines. It's been great to work with Pembrokeshire College to get the car fit for its three week Saharan challenge.
"I've begged parts from generous local businesses, GDS Tyres, Prolek, Peter Claughton the Land Rover specialist and Greens Motors. Without them I couldn't have done it.
"And the fantastic make over is due to Sigma Display in Goodwick who have a great sense of humour and saw how much rust needed covering up!"
She added: "The money raised from the auction will be passed to local charities building infrastructure, including providing clean drinking water, in one of the world's poorest countries."
The car, emblazoned with the team name of The Land Girls' will be driving around the county until setting off on December 28th.
For more information visit www.plymouth-banjul.co.uk.