Instead of celebrating two big birthdays in traditional style, Peter and Pat Hammond decided to join a charity challenge taking a minibus crammed with other gifts to one of Africa's poorest countries.

They will be joining friend Jeremy Wilkinson on a three-week, 4,500-mile trek in February from Plymouth to the town of Banjul in the Gambia in a 12-year-old left-hand-drive Volkswagen Transporter minibus they've called Helga that used to belong to the Belgian police.

When they get to their destination, they will donate the minibus to a paper mill enterprise project that was set up by the charity organising the challenge to give local people there jobs and self-sufficiency, and which has grown considerably in the intervening years.

Peter and Pat, of Riddlesden, who turned 60 and 50 respectively this year, decided to take up the challenge rather than have presents for their birthdays.

Pat, who works for Bradford Cover and Tent Co Ltd, off Wakefield Road in Bradford, said: "We didn't want a big celebration, but thought it would be a great idea to have an adventure and help the people of Gambia at the same time by doing the challenge."

Peter, who works as a snagger' in the building trade, dealing with after care and maintenance on new homes, did the challenge two years ago with his friend Jeremy, and they both have a good idea of what lies in store.

He said: "The roads are fine down through Europe and even through Morocco, but after the border with Mauritania they get steadily worse. Two years ago, we ended up in a giant pothole that we only just managed to get out of and complete the journey."

Jeremy, 57, an agent selling furniture, of Harrogate, bought the minibus and did the few bits of repair work that needed doing, while Peter and Pat have been raising funds to pay for the fuel and supplies to get there, plus incidental costs they'll need on the way such as backhanders for easing through paperwork at borders.

They hope to have the minibus crammed with donated computers, clothing and medical supplies when they set off with 200 or more other vehicles in January next year.

If and when they complete the challenge, they will fly home leaving everything they had taken with them in Gambia.

Peter said: "We aim to come home with just a small rucksack each of personal effects. Nothing more. Everything else will go directly to the people it is intended for in Gambia."