Major trip, Minor car
1 Mar 10
ICAS assistant director of tax Donald Drysdale is taking on a major challenge this summer – a 2,000 mile drive across some of the highest roads in Europe in a 46-year-old Morris Minor
Drysdale is undertaking the adventure with friend and driving partner Antony O’Gorman to raise money for MDF The Bipolar Organisation, a UK charity which supports bipolar sufferers and their carers.
The car in question is known as Trafalgar, a 1964 Morris Minor 1000 convertible which has been meticulously restored by specialist Charles Ware in Bristol.
“We will drive through Belgium, France and Switzerland,” says Drysdale. “En route, we’ll pay our respects at the Tyne Cot First World War cemetery near Ypres, visit the battlefield of Waterloo and meet up with other Morris Minor enthusiasts in the Jura region of France.
“As an extra challenge to Trafalgar, we aim to drive him over the Swiss Alps and into northern Italy, taking the highest practicable route we can.
“We hope to cross the Bernina Pass from Pontresina to Tirano, where the road reaches an altitude of 2,323m (7,621ft) above sea level, and the Julier Pass from St Moritz to Thusis, at an altitude of 2,284m (7,493 ft). These are among the highest passes in Switzerland – and Europe.
“To raise funds for and awareness of MDF, we've decided to seek sponsorship for our trip. This is an independent initiative of ours and we'll meet all the costs of the trip ourselves – all funds raised will go directly towards supporting the charity’s invaluable work.”
To sponsor Donald Drysdale’s challenge, go to www.justgiving.com/donalddrysdale