A group of friends are attempting what they believe is the ultimate driving charity challenge in two 20-year-old Reliant Robins.

Mark Hill, 39, of Wyke , together with Ian Forster and Nick Rahman, of Liverpool, are part-way through a 16-day journey, driving 4,900 miles through Europe and Scandinavia in the three-wheeled vehicles in aid of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

The trio, who met at university, embarked on the Robin Reliant Challenge from The Transport Museum in Manchester, and aim to cover about 300 miles per day.

Jerry Hill, Mark’s dad, said: “When I first found out about his challenge, I did my best to stop him.

“The car failed its MOT shortly before he set off and they have already broken down on day four of their trip because of a petrol leak. But I am very proud of him and what he is doing.”

The challenge is to complete the trip in a vehicle which is not thought to be capable of making it. The group did a similar charity ride two years ago on 50cc scooters to Greece.

During the journey they will cross through 16 countries, including Estonia and Latvia, and the trio hope to drive around the famous Nurburgring motorsports complex when they pass through Germany.

After speaking to his son during his adventure, Mr Hill said onlookers had been cheering them on and said they had never seen cars like them.

The friends created the challenge to support the charity’s hospice in Huddersfield, which is due to extend its services. Forget Me Not provides care and support for children suffering from life-limiting conditions and their families.

The group hopes to raise £5,000 for the cause.

For a daily update of the challenge, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/#!/RobinReliant Challenge or to donate, visit justgiving.com/RobinReliantChallenge.