Adventurers whip up storm in Dakar trek

Intrepid adventurers from the Black Country will be making an epic journey to West Africa, following the same route as the famous Dakar rally to raise money for charity.

Husband and wife Warren and Sarah Evans from Stourbridge are among the team who will be tackling the trek. The couple, who run Base Studios in Rufford Road, will be joining up with their old friends Andrew Dickinson, co-owner of The French Hen in Clent and Jon Robinson and his partner Jacquie Barker, for the challenge.

All of them will be dodging landmines in Mauritania and braving sandstorms in the desert.

They will be among a group of adventurers embarking on the feat and hoping to raise £2,000 for Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge which supports cancer patients.

Pals Mr Evans and Mr Robinson will be riding a motorbike for the journey through the UK, France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia.

Meanwhile, Mrs Evans and Mr Dickinson will be behind the wheel of a modified Land Rover, specially designed for desert conditions. But fifth member Miss Barker will have to wait a week to discover whether she will be able to make the trip on September 20.

She is currently undergoing breast cancer treatment which may not be compatible with the yellow fever vaccination she needs.

Mr Evans said he had always wanted to do the Dakar rally but could not previously get sponsorship.

The 38-year-old, who will celebrate his birthday on arrival in Dakar, said: "I've climbed Kilimanjaro so I thought I'd do this next.

"I wanted to do this on my own originally but it's hard to get through the desert solo. We could end up being blown up or even taken hostage if past rallies are anything to go by."

The group hope to complete the challenge in three weeks.

A fundraising launch party will be held at the French Hen on Friday.

For more information or to sponsor the team call Mary Stevens fundraising department on 01384 377778.