INTREPID fundraisers from North Yorkshire travelled across Europe in a couple of old bangers to help charities close to their hearts.

The determined drivers had to dress up and restore battered old bangers to tackle the 1,400 mile Benidorm or bust challenge rally across Europe.

The Northern Echo: James Adair with Zoe and Alan Mackay and their Scooby Doo Mystery Machine completed  rally in aid of Wendy's wish. Picture: Richard Doughty Photography

James Adair with Zoe and Alan Mackay and their Scooby Doo Mystery Machine completed  rally in aid of Wendy's wish. Picture: RICHARD DOUGHTY PHOTOGRAPHY

Will and Anita Harvey, from Pickhill, near Thirsk, embarked in a 1993 Rover 216 worth just £300.

The couple raised £1,500 for the British Heart Foundation in memory of close family who suffered heart problems.

Mr and Mrs Harvey, who run a garage repairs centre, Harvey’s of Pickhill, started their 1,400-mile trip from Blackpool, where they spent their week-long honeymoon in 1977.

Mr Harvey said: “It all went brilliantly. The scariest part was approaching Bordeaux in rush hour. Cars were shooting out left and right as everyone was rushing home; horns were sounding and our sat nav was going mad but we got to our stop with no bumps or dents."

Four intrepid Scooby Doo fans from Northallerton also tackled the gruelling challenge raising£2,000 for Wendy's Wish. The friends James and Lorraine Adair and Alan and Zoe Mackay travelled in a magical mystery machine in the form of a 16 year old Fiat People Carrier.

They tackled the trip and raised the money following the death of their friend Wendy Reed, from Northallerton who died earlier this year at the age of 38 from a rare form of eye cancer. Her heartbroken family set up Wendy’s wish to raise money for Eye Tumour Research and to help cancer patients.

Mr Adair said:"We were so pleased because we won the overall challenge and had a wonderful time, we really want to thank everyone who sponsored us."