Banger bid to conquer huge rally

Gordon Taylor and Andy Shields are heading east

Andy Shields, 33, from Marton and Gordon Taylor. 41. from Bispham, are driving a 1989 Suzuki SJ 4x4 from Blackpool to East Asia, via Prague, in aid of Trinity Hospice.

The trip is called the Mongol Rally and will take four weeks to complete. The rules are the car has to cost under Â£1,000, be a one litre and be more than 10 years old.

Andy, owner and director of Barcadia Media, said each team creates a theme.

He added: “We have chosen a Jurassic Park theme, so the car will be a replica from the film and we will be dressing up as some characters.

“The team name will be called the Jurassic Tarts.”

The duo have no mechanical knowledge so they have been receiving help from their sponsors Blackpool and The Fylde College in preparing the car for the journey.

Tony is director of development at Barcadia and has had to learn to drive again for the trip.He said: “Up until six months ago I hadn’t driven for 20 years so I have re-learnt all over again.”

Trinity hospice and andy shields gordon taylor for mongolia rally.

They have chosen to fundraise for Trinity Hospice (inset) in memory of Andy’s auntie, Jean Prescott, who died in October at the age of 62, following a battle against liver cancer.

They are holding a fundraiser in St John’s Square this coming Friday, and will also be staging a charity concert held on Friday, June 29, at the Bootleg Social club in Topping Street.

Andy will be playing with his band ‘Naomi’s Blood Diamonds’, with all funds going to the charity.

Donate

If you would like to donate to the fund go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jurassic-tart