A Mansfield businesswoman is planning to drive more than 10,000 miles this summer across Europe and Asia to raise money for charity.

Jane Box, managing director of Interactive People Development Ltd, will tackle the famous Mongol Rally with her best friend, Rosi Moore-Fiander, who now lives in Australia.

The duo, who have dubbed themselves Sugar + Spice, will set off from the UK on 17th July and drive unaided for around seven to eight weeks — including over extreme terrain — before finishing in the Siberian city of Ulan Ude, a day’s drive from Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.

The rules of the rally mean they can use only a small car, up to a maximum of 1200cc, and have no back-up or support.

They will probably drive through France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, but have yet to plot their exact route.

The duo aim to raise £25,000 for the Rainbows Hospice for children and young people, Loughborough; the Stroke Association and Assistance Dogs Australia.

Jane said the two charities she was supporting were both very close to her heart. She said the hospice provided “hope where there is no hope” for young people in the East Midlands who are at the end of their lives.

The Stroke Association offers research and support for stroke victims. Jane knows the devastation that strokes can cause, having lost her ex-husband to a stroke at the age of 49.

Rosi said her charity was Assistance Dogs Australia, where puppies undergo a two-year training programme to provide support to people with physical and mental disabilities.

Jane said the two women have been best friends for more than 35 years after meeting while working in Nottingham, when Rosi moved into Jane’s shared house.

“We bonded over late-night ironing and baking, whilst drinking large glasses of Bailey’s Irish Cream,” said Jane.

The two women went on to start their own companies and have remained friends, despite Rosi moving to live in Western Australia.

Jane said their previous adventures included a ditch in India, mopeds in Vietnam, the rugby sevens in Hong Kong, jazz bars in Manchester, gully skiing in Italy, a lost afternoon in Barcelona, and an exploding pink suitcase.

The duo are appealing for individual and corporate sponsorship and donations, which can be made via their webpage, go to http://sugarspice2016.weebly.com

Corporate sponsors will receive acknowledgement on the website and their logos will be displayed on the duo’s car.

They are also seeking likes for their Facebook page — www.facebook.com/SugarAndSpice2016 — where updates about fundraising events and their journey will be posted.

Fundraising events include a­ 70s/80s valentine’s disco at Mansfield Town FC on 13th February and a fashion show at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme, on 21st March. Contact Jane at [email protected] for tickets.

Jane Box, right, is pictured with Miss Mansfield Amy Bielby at a fundraising wine-tasting event for her Mongol Rally 2016 adventure.