FINAL preparations are under way for a group of three adventure-seeking Kendal friends as they get set take on an epic 10,000 mile pan-continental road trip for charity.

The Mongol Rally kicks off on July 19 and thunders across the mountains, desert and occasional roads of Europe and Asia.

Driving an 18-year-old one-litre Nissan Micra, bought for just £320, James Nowell, Alex Ramsay and Paul Thomas, who together make up Team Marco Yolo, hope to cross 20 countries in total, including the return trip.

Setting off from London alongside nearly 300 other teams, the plucky trio will take it in turns to get behind the wheel of the heavily-modified 'Roxanne' in a bid to drive all the way to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Since committing to the trip back in September, countless hours have been spent gaining visas, making the car suitable and planning the route.

"I don't think it has quite set in yet," said Paul, 22.

"We have got all visas apart from Azerbaijan which seems to be a bit of a nightmare to get into but we've applied and hopefully will get that soon."

Alex, also 22, added: "Some teams have only just bought the cars in the past few weeks. We have been quite prepared but a lot of teams take it very easy. The spirit of the rally is to just do it ad-hoc and off-the-cuff but we want to finish it."

The grouphave been helped out by sponsorship from Stagecoach, the Sign Man, Majik House, Smith Young, Kendal Caravans and Kendal Camping. Stagecoach has given Roxanne a full service along with adding essential extras including a sump guard to protect the car's underbelly, an addition air filter and a roof basket.

The trio will travel through Western Europe before hitting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. They will then catch a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan before entering Mongolia.

"There's no race element to it, if we get there we will be happy," said Paul, who has been friends with the other two since they met at Kirkbie Kendal School.

They aim to raise £10,000 by completing the gruelling challenge and will donate the majority of the cash to Multiple Sclerosis UK - with £500 going to the international environmental charity Cool Earth charity.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/MarcoYolo

They will also be running a regular blog - 'Mongol Rally Adventure' - on the Gazette's website to keep readers informed of their epic journey. See http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/opinion/mongol_rally_adventure/13380073.Just_over_a_week_to_go_before_we_set_off_on_our_Mongol_Rally_adventure/ for their first entry.