TWO friends will drive halfway around the world in the cheapest car they can find to help protect Oxfordshire’s woodlands.

Johann Wilsker and Jonathan Bent, both 28, have signed up for this year’s Mongol Rally to raise cash for The Woodland Trust.

The pair, who grew up together in Witney, will tackle the 10,000-mile drive from Oxford to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, from July 23.

Their journey will take them over four mountain ranges and three deserts, through 14 countries, and across two continents –– all in the cheapest one-litre car money can buy.

Mr Wilsker, who lives on a boat on the River Cherwell near Kidlington, said they are looking forward to the challenge.

He said: “It’s the first time we have ever done anything like this.

“It’s going to be a real adventure. There’s no definite route but we have a rough idea of the journey we’ll take.

“The rally is such a famous event and it’s brilliant to be taking part.”

The first Mongol Rally took place in 2004, when just six teams participated. This year about 200 are expected to join the event.

Organisers warn competitors about potential perils en-route, saying: “These adventures are genuinely dangerous things to do.

“You cannot underestimate the risks involved. Your chances of being seriously injured or dying as a result of your participation are high.”

Half of the cash raised will go to the rally’s chosen charity, the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, and the rest to the Woodland Trust.

Mr Bent, of Florence Park Road, Cowley, said their childhood inspired their choice of charity.

He said: “The trust seeks to support and protect so many things that we love about growing up in the beautiful countryside in the county.

“So many areas of natural beauty and ecological importance have fallen prey to the pressures of human development in recent years and as a tree surgeon myself, I have a particular interest in woodlands and their conservation.”

He said: “We’re hoping to get some local businesses interested in making donations and in return for bit of media coverage and advertising space on our vehicle.

“Perhaps a local car dealer might give us a discount on something cheap, nasty, yet reliable?”

If you can help sponsor Johann and Jonathan visit http://tiny.cc/ymnk3