Introducing the Mongol Rally. Haven’t heard of it? It may not be part of the Formula 1 circuit, but it is the self-proclaimed “greatest motoring adventure on the planet.”

That’s because participants travel across one-third of the entire world – yes, you read that right – to raise money for charity.

It’s the journey of a lifetime that Opportunity International Australia supporter Autum Bower (or ‘Auto’ as she is fittingly nicknamed) embarked on with two mates Devin and Shaun last year. Participants start in London, England, and travel 16,000km to the finish line north of the Mongolian border in Ulan Ude, Russia.

The Mongol Rally is not a race, nor is there a winner. There are only three rules.

You can only take a ridiculously small used car. Auto’s team chose a Malaysian car they dubbed the ‘Beaver’ in the hope that repairs would be easier travelling from Europe into Asia.

You’re also completely on your own in terms of supplies. All the team could take was a colourful bunch of suitcases strapped to the top of the ‘Beav’.

All teams raise money for charity, with Auto’s team choosing Opportunity as one of their charities of choice because it gives people living in poverty the tools they need to transform their lives, their children’s futures and their communities.

Auto said:

We crossed three mountain ranges, four deserts, got lost, met amazing locals, saw remote beautiful landscapes, spent countless hours at border crossings, and dealt with numerous break downs.” The worst of which came just 602km shy of the Western Mongolian border when the Beav died of engine failure. Overall, the journey took three months to complete… And the best part?

We camped in a cave overnight in Cappadocia, Turkey to see the mass start of the hot air balloons. It was the best ever experience of our trip. We even heard a jet burner from a balloon go off. It sounded like it was in our cave. The pilot said good morning to us. It was awesome to be right in the midst of all the action – even while we were still in bed!

Auto’s team raised more than $1,000 for Opportunity, which is able to provide 14 families with small loans to start businesses and transform their lives!

Get into gear - start a fundraiser today as part of Opportunity’s Great Australian Curry, or find other ways to get involved here.