A DETERMINED motorist is driving thousands of miles across Europe in an ‘old banger’ for a cause close to his heart.

Paul Wojcik, from Barrow, is joining an epic motorist event which will see him and dozens others drive from Dover to Gibraltar in their ‘old bangers’ as part of the Veterans Banger Rally.

The 64-year-old had originally planned on taking on the cross-country trek last year, however, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the event to be held in the UK.

Paul and his son Joseph drove their renovated 1993 Rover Metro from Stafford onto Llandudno, Torquay, Skegness, Newcastle, Blackpool before finishing in Runcorn for prizegiving in last year’s event.

READ MORE: Barrow father and son to drive 'old banger' for Veterans Banger Rally

A year later the Ulverston Inshore Rescue volunteer is excited to finally take on the original rally route, driving from England to Gibraltar.

Paul, who joined the merchant navy when he left school, will be driving his 2003 Citroen Berlingo alongside 45 other cars of all shapes and sizes on September 12 to Gibraltar – and back again.

Drivers start with 500 points, the older the car and the lower the engine size, the more points you get.

From Paul’s home in Barrow to Gibraltar is an epic 3,552 round trip, stopping off in Calais, Le Mans, Pau, Valencia and Malaga along the way.

Paul said: “I decided to take it on again as this was the initial destination but due to Covid we had to cancel but we did manage the trip around England in 2020.

“I am looking forward to the challenge - it will be a long drive but will also be good fun meeting up with some of the teams from 2020 to see what vehicles they are travelling in.

“And just the camaraderie and banter on the journey is enough to keep you going.

“After all it's all ex and serving members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy who have to register the car so what could possibly go wrong?”

Paul is raising money to support Ostley House Dementia Unit in Barrow who cared for his mam in her final few years.

He said: “I chose Ostley House as my charity as mam had dementia and spent her last few years being cared for by the staff there.

“The management and nursing team were fantastic and nothing was too much trouble even down to the chef knowing everybody by their first name and what food they liked and disliked.

“From myself and my family I cannot recommend Ostley House enough.”

To make a donation, visit:  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gibraltar-202