Alan McKerchar, who works at Raby Castle, bought his 1995 Ford Scorpio hearse specifically to take part in an international rally that will see him travelling through eight European countries over five days next month.
Mr McKerchar will be gathering cash for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), which he believes plays a vital role in rural areas, particularly because road ambulances can take longer to arrive on scene.
The daughter of one of Mr McKerchar’s colleagues was airlifted to hospital after an accident, making the trip all the more personal.
The 50-year-old will be completing the rally with his 22-year-old son, Ross.
He said: “We’re doing it as part of a Fireball Rally. I thought if we are going to do this, we might as well do it for a good cause.
“I was looking for some kind of novelty vehicle and I saw the hearse advertised. I will sell it at the end and any profit will go to the charity.”
The rear of the hearse has been converted into a sleeper to save on the cost of accommodation during the European adventure.
Currently people can see the hearse driving around Teesdale as Mr McKerchar promotes the rally and the air ambulance service ahead of the event.
It was also on display at the recent vintage car rally at Raby Castle where Mr McKerchar raised more than £200. So far he has raised more than £500 for the charity.
The tour, which takes in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium, includes a James Bond day and a visit to the dam that Pearce Brosnan jumped from in the film Goldeneye
He said: “While in Switzerland we will complete a bungee jump from the Verzasca Dam which at 220 metres is the highest ground-based jump in the world.”
He will also be visiting Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant that featured as Blofeld’s secret fortress in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
The rally runs from September 6 to September 10.
Visit justgiving.com/fund
raising/alan-mckerchar.
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