Four friends are aiming to take on the challenge of a lifetime to raise money for a suicide prevention charity.

Adam Green, Zach Isom, Harry Campbell and Richard Everett are set to embark on a 10,000 mile journey from Sudbury to Mongolia in a tiny one-litre car, via countries including France, Germany Denmark and Russia.

About six months ago, Mr Campbell’s brother Matthew – a former Sudbury Upper School student – took his own life at the age of 21. He was struck by a train in Staffordshire where he had been studying at university.

Since the tragic incident, the friends who all attended the same school have been looking for ways to raise money for Papyrus, a charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide in young people.

They chose The Adventurists Mongol Rally, in which teams travel from their chosen start point to the finishing line in Mongolia via a 10,000 mile route of their choice.

Mr Green, 21, from Acton, said: “Papyrus does excellent work helping those who are considering the worst; it has a very personal meaning to us, and to many people across the country.”

The catch with the rally is that participants have to complete the challenge within a six week period, and their mode of transport must have an engine no bigger than one litre. The group must also carry out their own repairs on the vehicle on route.

Mr Green continued: “We haven’t found our car yet but we are ideally looking for something like a Fiat Panda, Vauxhall Corsa or Mitsubishi Colt. It will have to be something that costs less than £100.”

Any funds raised will also be shared with Cool Earth, a charity working to save rain forests.

Mr Isom, 21, a music teacher from Sudbury added: “I have never even been abroad before so this will be quite a learning curve for me. Although our parents think we are quite mad, we felt this would be a great way to raise money for the charities and at the same time give us an experience we will never forget.”

The challenge will begin on July 19 next year and must be completed by August 30. The men are looking for sponsorship and donations of tools, food and equipment.

Mr Cambell, 21, a sound technician at Bury’s Apex, said: “The rally rules are set up to make it as difficult as possible and I’m sure we will encounter all sorts of hurdles on the way.

“We will have to live off rations and sleep in the car, so with four of us cooped up together for six weeks, whether we are all still friends by the time we get there remains to be seen.”

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/Adam-Green7. To sponsor the group, or to offer any equipment or help, call Mr Green on 07794 204798.