Charles D.G. Simpson (2012)
26/04/2017
Former Loretto pupil, Charlie Simpson, to take on the Mongol Rally in a scrapyard car.The Mongol Rally thunders 10,000 miles across the mountains, desert and steppe of Europe and Asia each summer.Two friends with a passion for philanthropy and adventure have decided to take on a car rally across mountains and deserts for charity. Former Loretto School pupil, Charlie Simpson and friend, Dom will drive 10,000 miles across the Europe and Asia in the Mongol Rally. The duo will raise funds and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity, Help for Heroes and Cool Earth.Charlie commented, “Since leaving Loretto, I have graduated from Newcastle University, joined the Army Reserves and will be starting on the Civil Service Fast Stream this September. Loretto really equipped me with a confidence and sense of adventure that has helped me enormously. The Mongol Rally is something that I have dreamed of since L6 and is certainly an extension of what Loretto gave me.” The rules are simple for the challenge, with participants only allowed to use a car with a one litre engine or less.The Mongol Rally is designed to be a true adventure and is one of eight extreme travel charity challenges on offer by events organiser The Adventurists. Those taking part will have no backup, no support and no set route to follow so will have to rely solely on themselves, their companions and a rally style car that must be bought from a scrap yard.Their car? A 2002 Mk4 VW Polo, two careful owners and only 53,500 miles on the clock. Charlie commented, “She is an ideal car for the rally, she fits the rules but is also in good shape, almost felt bad revealing to the previous owner what we’ll end up doing to her!”Their chosen path, leading on Sunday, 16th July takes them through 20 different countries starting in Goodwood Race Circuit and ending in Ulan Ude in Russia. During the challenge, the route will feature a variety of tough terrains, environments and extreme weather conditions most notably in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.Charlie and Dom’s fundraising page is - uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/nowherefast , their sponsors page - https://teamnowherefast.wordpress.com/sponsorship/ and their blog can be found at - www.teamnowherefast.wordpress.com