An Essex couple have hit the road and are driving across Europe in a £500 banger for charity.

Karen Mussenden and her husband, Darren, have decorated their Ford KA like a minion (from the motion picture Despicable Me) and are driving across 12 countries in Western and Central Europe.

The couple, who are both from Stanford-le-Hope, are taking this trip to raise money for Bloodwise in memory of Karen’s brother, Kevin.

Also embarking on the 9-day trip, called the Bulldog Rally, are a cohort of other cars all dressed up for the occasion.

Mrs Mussenden described the scene at Dover on Tuesday morning as a “bit like the old Whacky Races show”, with cars designed like submarines and fighter jets.

The Mussenden’s car was decorated with Kevin the minion as he shares a name with Karen’s late brother.

Bloodwise is the charity formerly known as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and Mrs Mussenden chose it as her brother used to regularly fundraise for them.

Mrs Mussenden said: “I am really excited. I will probably do most of the photography whilst my husband does most of the driving.

“We have said we will either enjoy it and do more or it will be our last.

“My brother used to do a lot of marathons to raise money for Bloodwise, so we’re doing this in his memory.

“My Mum had blood cancer so it’s quite close to both of our hearts.”

The couple set off on their journey on 26th July and are travelling across Europe, as far as the Czech Republic, and then back by 3rd August.