Four friends are travelling across Europe in a Scooby Doo-inspired Mystery Machine to raise money for children's brain tumour charity Tom's Trust.

Hector Trower from Saffron Walden, along with his three friends Ned, Julian and Will, will set out on July 9 and return on August 7 - taking on the 'Poles of Inconvenience' challenge.

Their team, named 'James May's Breakdown', will travel 10,000 miles across Europe and North Africa in their Mystery Machine Suzuki Ignis and VW Polo.

Both cars the four friends will be using for the challengeBoth cars the four friends will be using for the challenge (Image: Tom's Trust)

On the way, they will visit 82 of the 'silliest' and most difficult places to get to in a car - including the world's highest sand dune, the second largest canyon after the Grand Canyon with 60 unlit tunnels, and a deserted communist base.

Hector said: "Taking on around 8,000 miles over the span of four weeks is going to be tough, but also a truly unforgettable experience which is exactly what we’re after.

"We decided to support Tom’s Trust as we have affiliations with the charity, and not only is it a fantastic charity supporting children with brain tumours, but it is also the UK’s only charity caring for their and their family’s mental health.

"We believe this is hugely important and something that should be supported in any way possible!"

To donate to their challenge go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-may-breakdown1.

As well as raising money, the group wanted to take on a challenge away from the comforts of life in the UK.

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Hector added: "By virtue of the poles and where they take us, all of us are very excited to visit countries we’ll probably never go to again in a manner that we’ll never get to do to the extent that we are again either.

"Not many people get the opportunity to drive thousands of miles across various terrains exploring all manner of cultures along the way and so it is a hugely exciting experience that we are all looking forward to immensely."

Tom's Trust was founded by Andrew Whiteley and Debs Mitchell in memory of their son Tom, who died from a brain tumour aged nine in 2010.