FOUR local men are set to take part in a charity rally from St Austell to the shores of Lake Garda and Salo in Italy.

Johnny, from Tavistock Launderette, Keith, Dartmoor Photographic, Dom, CCLA and Dave, who is retired, will set off from St Austell, together with 150 other teams, on Thursday, October 1.

The team, creatively named Four Men and a Map, have procured an 18-year-old Peugeot 306 estate — christened ‘Whizzy’ — for around £200, which will take them to Plymouth to catch the overnight ferry to Roscoff.

The route, which is still to be finalised, will travel through many different countries including France, Germany and Austria, will pass over the Alps and reach the finish line in Salo, Lake Garda on Monday, October 5.

Keith said: ‘The event will include daily challenges, in addition to coaxing Wizzy along each day, and activities to spur us on. Just getting there will be an achievement —but then we plan to drive back home!

‘We are funding the project ourselves and estimate that we and our trusty/rusty old banger will cover 4,000 miles.’

The men are raising money for Marie Curie and Children’s Hospice South West.

Keith added: ‘You can find out more, keep up to date with news, see pictures of us and Whizzy on our Facebook and Twitter page, just search Four Men and a Map.

‘Also please share our pages to all your friends so more people can follow and support us. You can also leave messages of support here or email us at fourmenandamap @gmail.com’

If anyone wishes to donate to the project Four Men and a Map have a page set up on www.justgiving.com alternatively you can donate £5 by texting ‘SALO50’ (for Children’s Hospice South West) or ‘SALO51’ (for Marie Curie) followed by £5 to 70070 on a mobile phone.

Alternatively, visit Tavistock Launderette (Pannier Market) or Dartmoor Photographic (Brook St) and donate to Keith or Johnny in person.

Keith said said: ‘Many thanks are due to Pittstop Motor Services, 4 Hire Taxis, Motor Parts Direct, Tyre Marks and J Sanders and Sons for their generous help so far in preparing the car for this challenge.

‘Also a big thank you to all who have donated so far and have got us to nearly £1,400 already. Details of sponsorship from local businesses and the community can be found on Facebook.’