TWO Former Royal Engineers in the British Army are driving 3,400 miles from Barrow to Gibraltar - and back - to raise money for charity.

Steven Haslam, 44, owner of Park Road Kennels and Cattery and close friend Roy Mowbray, 45, are taking part in the Veterans Banger Rally from September 24 - to October 1.

Over the course of one week they will drive through Rouen, Poitiers and Pau in France, cross the border into Spain via the Pyrenees to Zaragoza, then to Benidorm and Malaga, before finishing the final leg to Gibraltar.

The Mail: Roy Mowbray and Steven HaslamRoy Mowbray and Steven Haslam (Image: Submitted)

"We planned to do the rally in 2019 to celebrate Roy leaving the army after 22 years service but unfortunately Covid hit, and our trip was cancelled,” said Mr Haslam, an ex Plant Operator Mechanic in the British Army.

“We spent £550 on the car but it’s just been parked up for ages so we decided we were going to do it this year with us both being from the forces.

“There are three other teams from Barrow doing it so we’ll all go down in convoy. There’s around 50 teams doing it in total.

“The plan was to scrap the car in Gibraltar and fly back home but we’ve decided we’re going to drive back and then hopefully sell the car. Any money that we make over £550 will then be split between the two charities."

The pair, who have called themselves ‘The Coast Thrusters’ because of their ghostbusters themed ‘Ecto 1’ Volvo, are raising money for The North West Ambulance Service and St Mary’s Hospice.

The Mail: Roy Mowbray with the Ghostbusters themed carRoy Mowbray with the Ghostbusters themed car (Image: Submitted)

One of the requirements is to raise at least £100 per person for Blind Veterans UK – something which both have already achieved by selling football scratch cards for £2 per team.

Mr Haslam added: “We chose our two charities because you never know when you’re going to need an air ambulance if you’re involved in a serious crash, and St Mary’s is our local hospice, which you never know when you’re going to need either.

“I’m getting quite excited now. I just hope the car makes it all the way through. Hopefully we can reach our £500 target. It’s all for a really good cause.”

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