Pictured above: (l-r) Jason Strain and Tracey Hackett, from HB&O, with adventurer David Cunningham

A daring duo is faced with tackling thousands of miles of desert, secluded dirt tracks and mountain ranges topping 16,000 feet.

It sounds like the script from a James Bond movie - but these are some of the real challenges which lie ahead for antiques dealer David Cunningham, 62, and hot air balloon pilot Mark Stevens, 57, as they embark on a 10,000 mile journey to Mongolia for charity.

The pair, from Shipston-on-Stour and Warwick respectively, have signed up for the Mongol Rally, an annual event which sees teams of brave adventurers undertake the journey to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia completely unsupported.

As if the journey was not a big enough challenge, the organisers also insist all vehicles must have engines under 1.2 litres in size or be defined as a utility vehicle, which is why the pair decided to opt for a decommissioned ambulance as their mode of transport.

Once the journey is completed the ambulance, which has already clocked up 160,000 miles, will be given a new lease of life as it is put back into active service in the Asian country which severely lacks emergency service vehicles.

The pair are also raising money for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, which supports abandoned children in Mongolia, as well as the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and has been given a jump start on their journey after an £800 donation from Leamington and Coventry-based financial experts Harrison Beale and Owen.

David said: "I'm not really apprehensive about the journey itself, more about what we could potentially face along the way.

"It can take a long time to get across some borders - so negotiating skills are important but I am sure we will meet a lot of nice and interesting people along the way who will only be too happy to help us.

"We really appreciate all the support and help we have received from companies such as HB&O as we prepared for our journey

"There has been a lot of paperwork and administration in terms of obtaining visas and so on so now I am really just looking forward to getting in the ambulance and actually doing it."

The journey, which will begin on July 24, will take around six weeks and will see the adventurers travel from Warwick, through Europe, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Siberia and finally into Mongolia.

To help with the journey the ambulance has been fitted with a long-distance fuel tank as well as heat protection, a new engine, clutch and other internal upgrades.

Tracey Hackett, director of HB&O's financial services team, said: "It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the journey and challenges David and Mark will be undertaking.

"We are delighted to be able to support them on their adventure and to help two important charities in the process which do very different but equally valuable work on opposite sides of the world."

For more information on how to support the pair on their journey contact David Cunningham on 07881 588518.

For further information about HB&O, please visit their website here: www.hboltd.co.uk