A COUPLE have completed a mammoth 4,500-mile drive in a 28-year-old car - in an effort to raise funds in honour of a late family member from Arran.

Stewart and Lucy Alexander took on the epic Rust2Rome challenge to raise funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - a motor neurone disease (MND) charity set up by Doddie Weir and his family while the former Scots rugby star battled the illness.

This challenge is a banger car rally that sees participants pick up a car for less than £1,000 and then take it on the road trip of a lifetime from Edinburgh to the Italian capital.

The pair took on the drive, in a 28-year-old Volvo 940 they named Bella, to raise funds in honour of Stewart's late aunt Isobel MacKay - the "original Bella".

Isobel was originally from Arran, and a former nurse in Glasgow who had since moved and made Canada her home.

She was diagnosed with MND at a similar time as Scottish rugby legend Doddie, and lived with the illness for a similar length of time.

She profoundly touched family and friends throughout her life with her love, hopefulness and joy - before her passing around the same time as Doddie in November last year.

To pay homage to both the charity and to Isobel, before they set off on their journey Stewart and Lucy had their old Volvo wrapped in Doddie'5 tartan - and the car was livingly named Bella.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bella2rome (@bella2rome)

 

Discussing the journey on their crowdfunding page prior to heading off, Stewart and Lucy discussed the challenge ahead.

They said: "To honour both their memories, the adventurous duo were keen to take on this challenge which includes Lucy’s first camping experience and Stewart’s first attempt at creating a 240-hour playlist with no repeats."

They headed off on their journey at the beginning of June, and documented their trip along the way via their Instagram account @Bella2Rome.

The journey took them from South Queensferry on June 4, through the UK to France, before they drove through the stunning Alps in Switzerland.

From here they travelled along the incredible Umbrail Pass before reaching Italy before they finsihed at the Colosseum on June 13.

After reaching Rome, and heading for home, the couple said: "We want to thank all the Bella fans for supporting us on this journey, your messages have kept us going through the hairpin bends and the many mosquito bites.

"It has been an emotional day with family here to welcome us in Rome.

"Isobel Mackay, the original Bella, who faced MND with courage and a side of humour, much like Doddie Weir - which is why we want to fundraise in support of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, who are working towards of a world free of MND."

The couple made it back to Scotland, where of course it was raining, on June 17 - after an epic 13-day journey which saw them visit six campsites.

The couple closed their fund-raising page at the end of June having raised a remarkable £17,928.

They commented: "We set out to honour the wonderful Isobel McKay, the original Bella, who lived with MND and we are sure she would be very proud of our achievement.

"As for Bella, there’s plenty more in the tank - and if you see her out on the road please give a toot!"