By Cherry Wilson

cherry.wilson@essnmedia.co.uk

To brothers Kevin and Sean Fuell their £100 Nissan Micra is more than just a car.

The 20-year-old banger is extra special because it was built in the same year that Kevin's beloved wife Julia died from cancer.

Mum-of-two Julia, who lived in Addiscombe, was just 28 when she passed away after being diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in her thigh.

She was able to die surrounded by friends and family at her home after receiving care from St Christopher's Hospice, which provides support to terminally-ill patients across Croydon.

Two decades on and Sean, 42, from Woodside, and Kevin, 48, who now lives in East Grinstead, have bought the second hand Micra so they can take part in a special car rally in aid of the hospice.

The pair have signed up for The Plymouth-Dakar Challenge, a fundraising event which involves competitors driving to Africa in a car that costs no more than £100.

Although called The Plymouth-Dakar Challenge, the brothers will actually set off on Boxing Day from Croydon heading for Timbuktu, in Mali.

By completing the epic adventure they hope to raise £10,000 for the hospice, which is based in Sydenham.

Sean, of Estcourt Road, said: "The Micra is 20 years old and it matches the date that my brother's wife died from cancer.

"She received a lot of care and support from St Christopher's Hospice.

"They provided support at home so that she could die with dignity.

"If there is one thing that Julia's death taught us it is that you can't take life for granted.

"We are trying to grab life while it is there. We are going to try and live and do things you wouldn't normally do when you get older.

"That's why we've taken on the challenge."

Sean and Kevin will be one of more than 30 teams taking part in the 4,000-mile journey through France, Spain, Morocco and Western Sahara over three weeks.

After spending £100 on their car, the brothers were given a £15 budget to buy accessories to prepare it for the gruelling trip.

"We are going to be breaking down regularly and we won't have spares on us," Sean added.

"It is no holiday but it will be good fun and a great experience."

*Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit the brothers' website www.2timbuktu.co.uk