Brighton pals to drive ambulance to Mongolia (From The Argus)

Brighton pals to drive ambulance to Mongolia

7:20pm Sunday 3rd May 2009 in Search By Emmeline Saunders

Two friends from Brighton are converting a 4x4 into an ambulance and driving it 10,000 miles to Mongolia to donate it to a local community.

Matt Greene and Ross Dolton, both 26, are also raising £1,000 for charity during their six-week drive, and will travel across Europe, the Middle East and Asia in their quest to reach the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Ross said: “After we decided to do the drive we said we wanted to take something that would really make a difference. In rural Mongolia, a 4x4 ambulance saves lives and that gives us something really positive to aim for.”

The pair, who met at Lewes Grammar School more than 20 years ago, will leave on July 11 on a journey that will span Turkey, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and the Gobi Desert. They will keep in touch with their supporters on their Twitter page and website.

They are hoping to raise money for Save The Children and are looking for donated medical equipment to bring with them.

Matt said: “We want to put a defibrillator in the back of the ambulance, and we need a fridge to keep medicines cool. A stretcher is vital too.”

The friends are planning to navigate using maps, guide books and asking locals.

Matt said: “After a certain point sat-navs stop working. We've been warned not to ask directions by pointing, as in some countries the people will smile and point in the same direction.”

The Mongol Rally team will be organising fundraising events before the trip.

For more information, visit www.mongolresponse.co.uk.