A RECENT bout of ill health isn't stopping a 70-year-old Forester from driving 2,000 miles in 48 hours this week.

In fact Ted Taylor, of Sling, says he is determined to take part in the 24th Round Britain Reliability Run, organised by Club Triumph, which will see hundreds of cars drive non-stop from North London to John O'Groats and back via Land's End this Friday.

Ted is travelling with his friend Gordon Townley in his everyday 'hack', a Triumph Mk 2 2500 estate, and will pass through Monmouth and Chepstow on the way to Land's End to finish in London at 6pm on Sunday evening.

Ted underwent a knee replacement at the beginning of April and picked up a chest infection only two weeks ago which forced him to change his car plans.

He said: "We have, at the last minute, had to change the car that we had planned to use – it was to be a very rare Triumph Mk1 2.5 PI estate, probably the rarest production Triumph ever produced with just 230 made, seven surviving and a couple in any roadworthy form.

"We were rebuilding the engine but have found all sorts of problems with the rebuild of its rare engine and so have had to give up on it."

The event is held every two years to raise money for charity, this year Club Triumph hope to raise more than £60,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Some of the cars taking part include Triumphs and Standards of all types, sports cars, saloons and estates.

"I have had a lot of encouragement from my wife, Steph and daughter, Alison," he added. "This is going to be a challenge for myself, as I'm doing this partly in memory of my mother who sadly lost her battle with cancer many years ago and to Steph who managed to beat it."

To donate search for Ted Taylor on http://www.justgiving.com">www.justgiving.com