A SIDBURY man’s brave battle against meningitis has inspired complete strangers to take on a daring race across Europe in the old banger he sold them.

Pete Savage, put in a coma and then left deaf by the deadly bug, had never met Tony Wooller and Sheila Tompkins before he sold them his 1991 MR2 a few months ago. Now the plucky couple, both 55, class Pete as a pal and want to help him and Meningitis UK.

They plan to take the dilapidated motor on the 1,600-mile Staples to Naples race to raise cash for the charity in August – knowing it could conk out at any moment.

Tony, of Yeovil in Somerset, said: “We are doing the massive challenge for Pete. I only met him when I bought the car, but heard about the terrible illness and felt I had to do something.

“He is fighting back.

“Everyone who knows him wishes him and his family the best and every success.”

The adventurers bought the remains of the MR2 from Pete for just �200.

The banger had serious engine problems, was covered in creepy crawlies and rust, and was filled with rainwater.

Tony and Sheila have spent around �300 doing up the car with spare parts.

To help the couple reach their fundraising total visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Apache3.