DESPITE events in the South of France, four plucky ladies are setting off today, July 21, for the banger rally, Monte Carlo or Bust to raise funds for an oral cancer charity.

Natalie Golden, a dental hygienist from Ventnor Avenue, Sale will join two other mums of Year 6 pupils from Brooklands Primary School.

They are Ruth McDermott, a PA, and Karen Statham, a driving instructor.

Natalie’s sister, Janet Ainsworth, a learning and development manager, will join the other three 40-somethings on the fundraising rally.

Janet said: “I don’t see why bad people should stop us from doing good. That is why we are still going.”

They will take it in turns to drive a tiny 2001 Ford Fiesta donated by Melanie Mayoh via Facebook.

It has been decorated James Bond-style by Sign Box, Oldham and made roadworthy free of charge by mechanics Terry and Ady from Cross Street Garage.

The girls will drive from Saint Quentin to Dijon, then to Turin via Switzerland before ending up in Monte Carlo.

Natalie said: “Over four days we will drive 1300 miles finding B and Bs on line as we go.

“We’ll dress as glamorous Bond girls and wear different Bond-themed outfits every day. On day four, we’ll wear James Bond tee shirts with tuxedos and face masks of Roger Moore, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

“It will be difficult keeping cool in a small space with no air conditioning.”

She wants to make people aware of the danger of mouth cancer. It killed the charity’s namesake, Ben Walton, 22, from Scotland.

“It can affect anyone, not just drinkers or smokers,” she said.

Jokingly she said: “We’ll need a holiday after this.”

Her son, Sean, 11, said: “It’s awesome.”

* To donate, text NJKR 77 £amount to 70070.