Charity champs to head across Europe in '˜yellow submarine' car

European Scumrun Rally From left Craig Turner, David Stott and Kris Benson.

Pals David Stott, Kris Benson and Craig Turner will be taking part in the Scumrun Rally event for the third time.

The trio have modified a BMW to make it look like legendary band the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, with the eye-catching design set to turn heads as they pass through various countries.

The rally, which raises money for charitable causes, sees those entering meeting in Dover next Thursday and has the support of Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell.

From there, they get on a ferry to France before being told which destinations they are expected to reach.

David, 28, who works as a joiner, said: “We’re really looking forward to everything starting on Thursday.

“Tiff is the one who is going to kick things off before we get the ferry over and we find out where we are going.

The friends are setting off to compete in a rally.

“We know from doing it before that it could be absolutely anywhere.

“We’ve been to Prague, Berlin, Zurich, Milan and Monte Carlo in the past.

“I think we’d like to see if we’re sent across to Italy this year, maybe Poland and Austria too.”

This year’s worthy cause set to benefit from fund-raising is Action for A-T.

The organisation’s aim is to fund medical research to speed up the process of identifying a cure for Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare inherited childhood disorder which affects the nervous system, the immune system and other body systems.

“Collectively I know that the rally is hoping to raise £100,000 this year, which will mean that over the 10 years of the event more than £1million will have been brought in for charities,” said David, of South Hetton, who will share driving duties alongside Nissan workers Kris and Craig, who are both maintenance technicians at the car firm’s Sunderland plant.

“It’s the third year that we’ve done the run and it’s something we always enjoy.

“We’ve managed to get 8,000 miles out of the car so we’re relying on it again.

“We’ve changed suspension and put a new exhaust on it too. It’s just passed its MOT too. We won the top prize last year, the Spirit of the Scumrun, which was awarded to the team who got involved in things the most.

“Now, we just can’t wait for next Thursday to come around and get started.”

For more details go to www.scumrun.co.uk.