FOUR retired Suzuki Jimny fans are now well on their way around the planet on a huge fundraising tour in aid of Save the Children and the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, Hampshire.

The expedition was masterminded by retired businessman Leslie Carvall and it began in Southampton four months ago.

The crew of 70-year-olds are travelling alone with no frills, luxuries or a support team.

The two Jimnys have completed stages one, two and three through Europe, Kazakhstan, Russia, through Mongolia and back into Russia.

The vehicles were put on board a container ship at Vladivostock and arrived in Vancouver on July 21.

Stage four of the journey takes them from Vancouver up to Anchorage where they arrived last Friday.

From there they begin their journey south, crossing the Canadian Border at Calgary then through the United States and plan to reach Newark on August 28 for the ship to Southampton.

Despite the long and very gruelling sections through Russia and Mongolia the vehicles have certainly proved their reliability with a broken shock absorber bolt being the only running repair needed.

They have driven 11,300 miles so far with a further 7,000 to drive.

The team’s progress through 16 countries and across three continents can be monitored on Google earth.

Updates to the website are being added regularly together with some interviews and humorous video clips of the challenge so far.

Find out more at www.heavencanwaitimbusy.com.

The Jimny model was chosen for the trip as Les Carvall and the team wanted to prove that the mammoth expedition could be achieved in low cost 4x4 vehicles with a strong record of durability.