GENEROUS cab drivers will cram themselves into a small bargain car for a 2,000 mile fundraising road trip.

Ashley Martin, of Station Road, Manningtree, owns Riverside Taxis and decided to tackle the challenge together with two of his drivers in a cramped and rustic 1988 Vauxhall Nova.

Mr Martin, 31, wanted to come up with a difficult activity to raise money for a cause, deciding on nearby care home Acorn Village and Children with Cancer UK.

The trio will set off from Manningtree train station at 2am on January 23, making their way to Lands End via John O Groats before starting the return slog home.

Mr Martin says the journey in their super Nova will take around 48 hours in total.

“It’s going to take about two days with three of us in the car – one sleeping while another drives.

“We will be driving non-stop apart from getting fuel and food.

“We’ve tried to make it as much of a challenge as possible and we didn’t want to do it in say one of our taxis because that would be too easy.

“We came across this little Nova and bought it for £500, it’s in the garage now having work done to it.

“There’s not a lot of room and we are going to have to travel light, taking only essentials.

“There’s a high chance of snow and it will be difficult, but we wanted it to be that way.”

The group decided to raise money for Acorn Village due to their close ties with the home, often offering lifts so residents can visit the town centre.

“We do a lot of work for Acorn Village – picking up residents and taking them to town or two doctor’s appointments and we’ve gotten to know some of the residents,” said Mr Martin.

Mr Martin will be joined by colleagues Ian Harmer, from Little Bromley, and Andy Donnelly, from Stanway.

The trip will be supported by companies, including the Red Lion in Manningtree and Ace Autos, with many paying to feature adverts splashed on the car.