Alex Collard (left) and Adam Ataar under night skies in Algeria in 2009, with their trusted car 'Red'

School mates hope its second time lucky for off-road Sahara challenge

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Friday, September 7, 2012
3:28 PM

Two school friends will put a failed charity challenge behind them tomorrow morning when they set out from Woodford Green to the Sahara desert.

Adam Ataar, 30, of Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, and Alex Collard, 30, of Cambridgeshire, who met at Woodbridge High School, St Barnabas Road, are embarking on an approximately 5,000 mile, sixteen-day drive to raise money for global aid agency Mercy Corps.

The former class mates, who call themselves the Rusty Rhinos after completing similar challenges, only got as far as France in June when the engine in their trusted ex-military 1963 Land Rover died.

They’ve since replaced it and are looking forward to leaving from The Green, Woodford Green, at about 6.30am tomorrow.

Adam said: “It’s running very smooth. We’re confident it will get us there.”

They will take the Eurotunnel to France before hoping to reach Morocco by Monday morning.

From there, they will head into the disputed territory of the Western Sahara.

They will drive about 3,000 miles in the desert, predominantly off road, before journeying back.

Adam said: “I’m looking forward to getting to Morocco, to a different climate and landscape, and meeting people in towns that don’t get lots of tourism.”

They have so far raised £1,200 for the charity.

To track their progress and make a donation, visit www.rustyrhinos.com/moroccanrally2012/.