Wirral man taking part in Mongolia Rally for breast cancer charity (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral man taking part in Mongolia Rally for breast cancer charity

9:00am Sunday 27th February 2011 in News By Stephanie Cureton

A WIRRAL man is set to drive a third of the way across the globe in aid of charity.

Matt Thomas, from West Kirby, will lead a team of five men to Mongolia to boost funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The 'Mongolia 5' will take part in the annual Mongol Rally, which has no designated route, no support team and no accommodation as they travel across five deserts and three mountain ranges.

They will battle dangerous conditions for around four weeks through Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan before finishing in the Mongolian capital of Ulaan Baatar.

And they are hoping to raise £20,000 for the charity, in tribute to their female relatives who have suffered from breast cancer.

Matt, a photographer, said: "We're not the type of group who you'd normally expect to see doing something like this but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and will give us the opportunity to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a charity very close to our hearts.

"Whether it has been our aunts, mothers or sisters that have suffered from the disease we have all seen first-hand how drastically it changes their lives and the lives of others around them.

"A few people might think it's odd for a group of five men to raise money for what is widely thought of as a female cancer charity, but not only are we all affected indirectly as these women's husbands, fathers, brothers and nephews, but an average of 300 new cases of breast cancer in men are diagnosed in the UK each year. It's important for us to raise awareness about these issues."

The team, which also includes a mental health nurse, a trainee vicar, and two IT consultants, will embark on their journey in an old-style ambulance on July 23 from Goodward Racecourse, Sussex.

And Matt plans to keep their supporters up-to-date on their progress with a special online blog.

Mongolia5 are now appealing to Globe readers for both financial support and donations for vital equipment such as tents, camping gear and other essential travel kit.

All equipment, including the ambulance, will be donated to charities in Mongolia at the end of the trip.

Matt added: "We still need the basics such as tents and cooking utensils, let alone more technical equipment such as satellite phones and GPS systems – if anyone has anything to donate, however small, we would be extremely grateful to hear from them."

For further information or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/mongolia5.