Charity CEO completes epic European road trip in a £500 ‘rusty banger’

Richard Beard, CEO of Birmingham based charity JERICHO, undertook a mammoth European road trip with a difference recently, completing it in a in a rusty car he bought for less than £500.

Richard, and his friend Simon, completed the 3,000-mile journey from Reims to Nice, via Switzerland, Italy and Monaco, in a 23-year-old Toyota MR2 they bought over the phone for £500. Destined to be broken up for spares, it started but wouldn’t drive and was in sorry state with no MOT or service history.

Richard and Simon spent months lovingly restoring the car by scrubbing off rust and changing broken and worn-out parts. Their hard work was rewarded as it passed its MOT, second time round, with just days to go before the trip.

Their road trip, the Rex to Nice Banger Rally, was inevitably challenging and they broke down before they even got to the start line. Fixing their car along the way they made it to the finish line in Nice and even managed to conquer the iconic Stelvio Pass, one of the highest paved mountain roads in Europe.

Richard said: “This whole rusty banger challenge has genuinely been a challenge. We just want to say a massive thank you to all our supporters and everybody who has sponsored us”

Richard and Simon undertook the challenge on behalf of JERICHO, an award-winning Birmingham charity and family of seven social enterprises. JERICHO provides supported work opportunities for people facing extreme challenges in getting a job particularly marginalised young people and survivors of modern slavery. There is more to JERICHO than just work, what makes them different is their combination of vital support and activities. These reduce isolation, support recovery and promote inclusion to transform lives and help people become more employable.

You can watch Richard & Simon’s journey and sponsor them here.

Pictured: Richard and Simon