Chris Dyson, from Saffron Walden, and his brother-in-law Ian Cowan, from Denham in Suffolk, set off on October 5 to drive 2,000 miles in 48 hours to raise money for charity.

Chris and Ian competed in the Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run in a 53-year-old classic car - Ian’s 1965 Triumph TR4a.

Together with some 140 other teams attempting the drive around Britain, the pair planned to drive from Knebworth Hall, in Stevenage, to John O’Groats, in Scotland, before heading down to Lands End, in Cornwall, and back through the west country to finish at the start line.

But it didn’t all go to plan for Chris and Ian.

“We started out on Friday evening and had a good run up to Scotland getting to John O’Groats in time for breakfast. Saturday saw us traverse the highlands through some beautiful scenery. Unfortunately as we were driving alongside Loch Ness towards Fort William the reliability gremlins struck and the car developed a serious fault.

“We managed to affect a temporary repair to enable us to get home but it meant we had to abandon the event before we could get to Land’s End and back to Knebworth.

“Nevertheless we had a great time and managed to raise nearly £500 for the charity. It was disappointing not to have got all the way around but at least we made it to John O’Groats and down through the rest of Scotland.

“Now we start planning for the next one in two year’s time.”

This was Chris and Ian’s first attempt at the event. The event runs every two years and for many years it has been run in support of a charity. This year the chosen charity was Epilepsy Research UK.

This is the 26th running of the Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run. Since the event started supporting charities, more than £600,000 has been raised. More than £54,000 has been raised so far for Epilepsy Research UK.

Chris and Ian have set up a Just Giving page for donations should anyone wish to support them and the cause.

Donations can be made here: www.justgiving.comfundraisingteam132.