A GLASGOW mechanic is revving up to drive through seven countries in six days in a car he bought for £200 … to raise funds for sick children.

Colin Provan hopes to raise more than £6000 by taking part in the Czecheap Challenge car rally to help patients at Yorkhill Hospital.

And his motor has a slew of gadgets - from water jets under the wing mirrors to a sound system in the boot, DVD players, strobe lights and flashing headlights.

Colin, from Barlanark, who will be accompanied on the trip by wife Ashleigh, said: "We completed the race last year for Marie Curie in honour of my dad, Ronnie, who died two years ago of cancer.

"The event was brilliant, so I knew I wanted to do it again. Ashleigh is a pupil support worker and she chose Yorkhill as our charity this year.

"Last year we made £5200 and this year we are hoping to smash that."

Their car will travel about 3000 miles as it joins 60 others from across the UK in the banger rally.

Since buying his Peugeot 306 Colin has been working tirelessly to refurbish it.

And to make the car extra-special, the couple invited young patients from York­hill Hospital to design the bodywork.

A superhero design by eight-year-old Aiden McQuaid, from Erskine, was chosen to cover the car.

Colin and Ashleigh made sure there were prizes for the winner and two runners-up - a year's family pass to Knockhill, meals out at Frankie and Benny's and a remote control car going to the top young designers.

The 33-year-old took the car up to Yorkhill so Aiden could see the finished work.

Colin said: "I wanted to make sure Aiden saw the car and he loved it when he saw his design.

"He also loved all the extra features I had put into it. I wanted to make it as special as possible. I have spent hours and hours on it.

"Ashleigh picked the winning design. They were all amazing, but she decided what children want is a superhero so that is what we went with."

The event starts on May 22 and the husband and wife will drive from Scotland to England and over to Belgium, then into Germany and Austria before travelling over the Alps to Prague, in the Czech Republic, and home through Amsterdam, Holland.

Colin said: "It will be a bit of a shock to the system for Ashleigh being stuck in the car with me all that time.

"And it's hard work, covering about 350 miles each day. But the organisers set out challenges and that takes your mind off the driving.

"It is also beautiful scenery. But as well as us having an interesting holiday it is about helping the children at Yorkhill."

If you wish to make a donation see: www.justgiving.com/ronniesroadrunners

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk