Adrienne Sunderland (36) and her mum, Teresa Bowden (57) recently completed the Monte Carlo or Bust ‘banger’ rally in a 22-year-old Citroen C3 transformed into a cow, and it was all in aid of Solent Mind.

The rally, which began in St. Quentin, France and finished in Monte Carlo, isn’t about speed. Instead, it’s a fun challenge where teams earn points for the age of their car (the older the better), creativity in decoration, and how well they complete a set of quirky challenges along the way.

Adrienne, from Fawley, said: “It’s not about racing – it’s about doing something epic and having fun. Seeing the smiles our cow car brought to people we saw along the route was just amazing.”

The idea for their cow-themed car, affectionately named Gertrude, was inspired by the New Forest and came after they noticed some cow-print fabric in a local shop.

Teresa, from Hythe, said: “As soon as we saw the fabric, we knew we had to turn Gertrude into a cow. And that meant we also had the perfect idea for our costumes too – we would be cowgirls!”

The 3-day event took Adrienne, Teresa and Gertrude through picturesque villages and breathtaking scenery. Despite the sweltering heat and lack of air conditioning, they kept going – tired but full of joy.

Adrienne added: “It was so hot, and we were exhausted by the end. But it was the most incredible experience. We had so much fun, saw amazing places, and met some wonderful people. And Gertrude made it all the way with just one tiny hiccup!”

Most importantly, the rally helped them raise more than £200 for Solent Mind, a cause close to Adrienne’s heart. “I’ve struggled with mental health since I was a teenager, and the support I’ve received from Solent Mind has been life changing,” she said. “Taking part in this rally with my mum to give something back was the least I could do.”

Solent Mind’s Fundraising Manager, Gaynor Jordan-Davis, said: “We’re extremely grateful for this support – a huge thank you to Adrienne and Teresa. It’s been wonderful to hear about their incredible fundraiser and we’re so glad they had such a memorable time.”

To find out more about the support services available from Solent Mind, visit: www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you.

If you’re interested in taking on a challenge in aid of Solent Mind, visit: www.solentmind.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/challenge.