WITH nearly £3,500 raised at the time of writing, the son of Ascot Racecourse's chief executive is making sure his trip of a lifetime helps rake in cash for good causes.

Ed Henderson, whose dad Guy is CEO of the famous racetrack, set off last month from the Goodwood Motor Circuit with his friend Ollie Atkins on a 10,000-mile rally to Ulan Ude in Mongolia.

Every penny pledged by their supporters will go to their three chosen charities: Racing Welfare, the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Archie Lloyd Foundation.

The latter was set up in memory of their very close friend who was tragically killed in an accident last year and provides funds to talented sportsmen who need financial support.

Guy says his son is of course excited to be going on such a journey halfway round the world and fundraising in the process.

He said: "Ed would feel very satisfied to be raising so much money.

"Jockeys and racing staff put everything on the line to entertain people so Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys are invaluable in that respect.

"They are also doing something to honour their friend Archie."

The Ascot Racecourse CEO is a big believer in letting young people like Ed off the leash and is not worried at all about how he will fare on the adventure.

"I grew up in an era that placed a lot on self-sufficiency and it is very good for teenagers to deal with risks sensibly," he added.

"Ed and Ollie did all the admin themselves and I only helped them with the car insurance and made sure Ed took a car mechanics course.

"All their costs are covered from working during their gap year and they sourced the car for the rally on their own."

The intrepid duo hope to reach Ulan Ude by the end of this month but, as Guy says, whether they will is in the hands of chance.

To donate to Ed and Ollie's cause go to https://www.pledgit.net/campaign/aYT30y/liter-rally-no-idea-ollie-and-eds-mongol-rally. You can also track their progress at https://share.delorme.com/OliverAtkins