A rally team from North Yorkshire has raised thousands of pounds for charity by driving across Europe in an old Volvo estate. The men drove a total of 2,600 miles across three countries in five days. Led by Derek Taylor, 63, of Woodthorpe, York, they travelled across France, Italy and Germany last month to raise £5,500 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Derek was joined on his adventure by son-in-law Quint Atkinson and grandson Wayne Pallister, both of Selby, and his friend Paul Hitching, also of Woodthorpe.

The rules of the Screwball Rally state the car must cost less than £750, so Derek and the team bought an old blue Volvo for the drive.

He said: “The trip was great fun as it was for a worthwhile cause. I am thrilled we have raised so much money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We set a target of £3,000, but have now exceeded that. “The rally is not a race and there are no prizes for coming first. However, there was a prize for the best fancy dress. We chose the theme of gangsters, but sadly we didn’t win.”

Derek says he enjoyed joining other rally drivers at camp sites across Europe each night to swap advice and directions on where to go next. He said: “We met up and swapped tips with other rally drivers.

“I am thrilled to have taken part in this challenge, it really has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”