“Mildred is coping well” – and if you’ve forgotten who she is, read on!
On July 19th three young men and a former London taxi set off for the capital of Mongolia to raise funds to Veterans Aid. (*See backgound and film at: https://www.veterans-aid.net/11000-mile-mongol-rally-taxi-trip-puts-va-on-the-map/ ) It was never going to be easy but ‘The Idiots Abroad’ – Olly Cardozo, Will Ogilvie-Graham and Olivier Rident decided that 11,000 miles was not a ‘journey too far’ to help Veterans Aid.
A minor fuel crisis (that we promised not to mention!) was the first event to dent their optimism followed by an attack of glandular fever that resulted in Will being repatriated by air to London. Olly and Olivier pressed on to Tblisi where Olivier returned to London as planned, leaving Olly on his own, with Mildred, to figure out what to do; either cut their losses and drive back to London or plough on regardless as far as possible. 
Olly elected to go on alone and his bulletins are eagerly awaited by all at Veterans Aid.
On 10 August he wrote: “We are about to leave Tbilisi and I’ll continue onto Baku, or at least cross the border into Azerbaijan tonight and then head into the city tomorrow.
11 August: Safely arrived in Azerbaijan after a LOT of questioning about why the hell Mildred was there. They were just intrigued I think! Got to Saki. Stunning place.
12 August: Just arrived in Baku.
15 August Arrived in Aktau. 35 hour ferry. Convoying with some Aussies. Heading to the Uzbeki border today. Bloody hot, 40 degrees! Roads pretty shit.
17 August: Just got to Uzbekistan. Nightmare 500km road from Aktau but great fun. Four days till visa runs out. 40 degrees by 10am. Dusty desert conditions. Mildred coping well
18 August: Long day yesterday. In desert. Appalling roads. Aussie car gearbox dead. Left them behind with mechanic. Slept near Nukus. Samarkand today. In good mood.
Ollie and Mildred soldier on solo for Veterans Aid – Follow their Just Giving Page for further information.
Follow them on Facebook – but most of all make a donation to support this amazing fundraiser!
