The annual event challenges members of the kitchen, bedroom and bathrooms industry to drive through Copenhagen, Namur, Amsterdam, Lüneburg and Malmo in a road-legal car worth under £500.

Baxi has lent its support to Aidan Forshaw, director of PHS in Gateshead. He is competing over four days (June 7-10) to raise money for the Rainy Day Trust and Variety charities.

Each day has a theme: day one is cops and robbers, day two is freestyle, day three is music and day four is Vikings. Participants will be encouraged to take part in a range of challenges associated with these themes throughout the event.

Mr Forshaw said: “It’s fantastic to get a big manufacturer such as Baxi on board this year. I’m hoping to raise as much money as possible for two very worthwhile causes, and have some fun taking part in the challenges along the way!”

David Cook, UK sales director for Baxi, added: “When we heard that Aidan was taking part in such a fantastic event for charity, we jumped at the chance to sponsor him. We wish him the best of luck on the day and look forward to seeing the photos!”

The competition first launched last year, with a staggering £65,000 raised for the Rainy Day Trust after 37 cars successfully covered 1,300 miles through eight countries in just four days.

The Rainy Day Trust is the UK's only charity supporting the home improvement workforce and their families in times of need.

Variety, meanwhile, provides coaches and bespoke wheelchairs, specialist, sensory and recreational equipment for use in the home, schools, children's hospitals and youth centres.