A COUPLE will drive 6,000 miles along the route of the Trans-Siberian railway to Mongolia to raise awareness and money for child victims of gangrene in Africa.

Lynda and Oliver Scott-Tomlin, of Hammersley Lane, Penn, will make the arduous journey in July, which will take them from London, through Europe, across the Ural mountain range and into the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Oliver, who was brought up in South Africa, is not fazed by the potential dangers, saying: "Bandits could strip our vehicle and leave it bare but Im not frightened in the slightest. We have to look as poor as possible. Itll be fun. Ive lived in South Africa, Im suspicious by nature, I know how to be careful."

Lynda, a former city money broker, and Oliver, a champion swimmer and martial arts expert, planned to run the 150-mile Marathon des Sables across the Sahara to raise money for the Facing Africa charity, which supports noma victims but a sporting accident to Olivers leg meant the couple had to pull out and come up with something different.

Their trip will be tracked on website www.toffsworld.com and the couple will make regular contact to update sponsors about their challenge.

Lynda, who speaks three languages and is a qualified pilot, is a self-made millionaire but says her own financial success has only served to increase her concern for those less fortunate. She hopes that other people will support her efforts by committing sponsorship to ease the suffering of those afflicted by noma.

Noma is an acute and ravaging gangrenous infection caused by poverty and malnutrition. Survivors suffer facial disfigurement, functional impairment and social ostracism.

Postal donations/cheques should be sent to Facing Africa, PO Box 707, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP10 8WD. Bank transfer donations to Facing Africa, NatWest, High Wycombe. Sort code 60-11-01, account number 45296332.