FOUR friends, all originally from Devizes, are all set to take part in a charity driving challenge across Europe to raise charity cash.

Named the Inglorious Bustards, Eddie Timms, Fred Coombs, James McCubbin and Max Gatley are taking part in the tenth Scumrun charity driving event, which will involve driving 3,000 miles across Europe in just four days.

The race, starting on May 14, is professionally filmed and broadcast across the world, and on Sky in the UK, with money from this year’s event is going to JDRF, a type one diabetes charity.

The quarter has already raised £1,116, which is more than double their original target.

Mr Coombs, a trainee teacher who has been the main organiser, said: “We are surprised and overjoyed how much we have raised as the fundraising started quite slowly.

“Working on the car and problem solving has been a frustrating but excellent bonding experience.

“It is now in daily use and attracts a lot of attention, we would love people to come and speak to us about it if they see us in Bath or around Wiltshire.”

Guidelines for the event, which has 100 teams taking part, are to raise more than £500 for the charity, spend less than £500 on a car and then drive the car 3,000 miles across Europe.

The group brought their car, a 15-year-old green Volvo V70 TDI, for £400 and have spent the last six months refurbishing it with a Wiltshire theme.

Companies in the area having been to help them get ready for the event including sign writing completed by Kennet Sign and Display, tyres provided by Mike Wood and spare parts donated by Devizes Motor Panels.

Mr Coombs said: “This is the first big fundraising project we have undertaken as a foursome and it is has been really exciting to see how willing companies are to help four men and a slightly unloved Volvo.

“We have had a brilliant response to our fundraising requests with a particularly large donation of £100 from Devizes Motor Panels.

“All that is left to do now is to fit the roof rack and radio along with doing a dry run of packing and unloading the car to check we can pitch our tent quickly and easily.”

The four, who are all in their mid twenties, have been friend for more than 10 years even though Mr Gatley is the only one still to live in Devizes.

Mr Coombs now lives in Bath, with Mr Timms and Mr McCubbin living in Poulshot and Stockley.

To help the four reach their fundraising target go to https://www.justgiving.com/inglorious-bustards or

text BSTD88 £[amount you wish to donate] to 70070.