An Irvine man is driving a car kitted out like a Highland Cow across Europe and Asia to help win the race against dementia.

Graeme Donohoe – son of Irvine's former MP Brian – is driving a tiny Ford Fiesta called Morag, kitted out like a Highland Cow, from Scotland to Mongolia.

As part of the Mongol Challenge, the Sunday Mail journalist and his team of three others are driving 10,000 miles across Europe, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.

This is to raise money for F1 champ Sir Jackie Stewart’s charity Race Against Dementia and celebrate turning 40.

The team are already on the moo-ve and, as of going to print, in Hungary.

Graeme told the Irvine Times: “We’re going to be in Budapest for my 40th birthday on Wednesday after the official Mongol Rally Central European party in Prague on Tuesday.

“The first week is party, party, party so a bit of a skive...except for my liver.

“The hard work will start when we hit Turkey. I’m hoping President Erdogan doesn’t think Morag is a military coo and orders his tanks to blast us.

“My parents are fretting that I’m gonna do a Mark Thatcher and get lost.

"I certainly don’t want to take a wrong turn in to Syria. I’m no Brad Pitt but I’ve grown quite attached to my head over the years and would like to keep it where it is. 

“Obviously, the serious side to all this is that we want to raise a lot of moo-lah for Race Against Dementia.

“I’m hoping we can find a cure soon as I’d hate to think that one day I may not remember any of the wonderful memories I’m creating on this adventure.”

Worried father Brian Donohoe said: “He’s doing it for his 40th birthday, and he’s wanted to do it for years.

“It’ll take about three or four weeks. There’s a bit where they’re driving 1,000 miles of desert, so god know how it will go!

“The cars been converted but I would have thought he’d been better with a couple of spare wheels on it, but hey ho, he’s a big boy.

“I don’t want him to be wandering into Syria or something, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

The former Central Ayrshire MP added: “I’m still waiting to hear from some ex-colleagues in parliament about giving him something, but they are a bit tight.”

To donate to Race Against Dementia visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MongolRally-RaceAgainstDementia