Preparations begin for St Andrews students’ 10,000 mile biodiesel drive to Mongolia

In a world first, four students from the University of St Andrews will next month set out on a mammoth 10,000 mile drive across the world in a biodiesel-fuelled car, raising money for charity. The team of students – known as ‘The Green Yaks’ – will compete alongside other teams from across the world in the internationally renowned Mongol Rally adventure from 24 July. They will be driving on some of the most treacherous (and sometimes non-existent) roads en route from the Festival of Speeds in Goodwood, Chichester to the wilds of Mongolia, without sat-nav and on a route of their own choosing.

The students, who all study sustainable development together at the University of St Andrews, have decided to make this challenge even tougher than their competitors by travelling all the way to Mongolia in a car fuelled by biodiesel – a feat which has never been attempted before.

Team member Teddy Wadsworth said:

“We wanted to do something extraordinary with our summer holidays, and travelling all the way to Mongolia in a car that already has 199,000 miles on the clock, one broken window and that’s fuelled by biodiesel will certainly be a little different.

“Our mothers are all completely terrified for us and our friends can’t believe we’re doing it – so we’re all the more determined to finish and raise as much money for charity as possible. The BP oil spill has shown exactly how important alternative fuels like biodiesel are too, so we’re happy to be able to have our adventure, raise funds for charity and do our bit for the environment too.”

John Cunningham, Director of Fundraising at Mercy Corps said:

“We’re so pleased that teams like the Green Yaks are taking part in the Mongol Rally this year to raise money for our work helping the people of Mongolia. We work across the world to help communities in need and it’s great to see students from St Andrews take on such a big challenge to raise funds.”

Find out more or donate to help the Green Yaks raise money for their challenge. The Green Yaks are being aided in this adventure by some major sponsors and would welcome more. The current Sponsors are Biodriven, a biodiesel company; Azule Airways, Brazil; and Vitamin Water.