Two Windsor families to drive 'rusty bangers' across Europe for charity

'Rusty bangers' will be driven by two families from Windsor in a 1,240-mile rally across Europe to raise money for a multiple sclerosis charity.

Friends the Craven and Rainbow families are due to set off from their homes today to head to Reims, in France, before moving on to Interlaken, in Switzerland, and Bormio, in Italy, before finishing in Nice on Tuesday.

Less than £300 has been spent on the cars, which were bought from eBay, with the Craven family plumping for a Rover 75 Connoisseur and the Rainbow family driving a Fiat Multipla.

Paul Craven, 51, who will be travelling with wife Dee, 44, and sons Blaise, 15, and Jasper, 12, who attend an international boarding school near Sevilla in Spain, says he is looking forward to the trip.

The Queen's Road homeowner said: "It will be an adventure, but in reality it will be quite hard work because we will be in the cars for a long time, between seven and nine hours a day.

"We're a little worried about the cars, the warning lights are on and they're not in the best shape, but we have AA back-ups and we'll deal with the problems as we come along."

The Rainbow family are made up of husband and wife, Tony, 59, and Katrina, 39, who live in Fairlawn Park, and their son Tom, 14, who attends Bradfield College in West Berkshire.

All proceeds from fundraising will go towards the Multiple Sclerosis Society after Dee's sister, Deborah Keedwell, was diagnosed with the condition.

They have already raised more than £1,000.

Paul said: "We wanted to give some support to Deborah. It's a horrible disease so we're trying to raise some awareness and help to the cause.

"It's good to feel as if you are doing something and getting the kids involved in charity."

Visit www.justgiving.com/Paul-Craven1 to donate.