THREE adventurers will set out on a four-week rally with a van laden with toys and clothes, including football shirts for orphans.

Nikita Cadman, her father, Andrew Cadman, and friend James Jaye are setting off from London, next Saturday, to take part in the Mongolian Rally.

In Mongolia, they will hand out treats, including toys, clothes, books and football shirts donated by football teams in the region.

Miss Cadman, 20, from Darlington, and Mr Jaye, 32, from Shildon, know each other from working at Darlington Football Club.

They were due to go with another friend at the club, but when he had to pull out, Miss Cadman's father stepped in.

They will set out in their Ford Transit Van from Horse Guard's Parade, in London.

They will cross France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland. After travelling across Western Russia, they enter Kazakhstan, back into Russia before crossing the Gobi Desert to reach their destination.

Miss Cadman said: "It will be a great experience. I am looking forward to getting there and seeing how they live in Mongolia and all the way across."

The team - going by the name A&P Direct - has raised nearly £12,000 through sponsors and donations.

They will hold a send-off night tonight, at 7pm, at the Grey Horse, Bank Top, Darlington.

To sponsor the team, go to justgiving.com/mongolia charityrally2011 or email mongoliacharityrally2011@hotmail.co.uk Updates throughout the race can be found under the teams section at mongolia.charityrallies.org