On July 19 three Denverites will participate in The Mongol Rally - an approximately month-long charity race that starts in London's Hyde Park and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.Their route spans approximately 1/3 rd of the globe and covers some of the roughest terrain on the planet.

The trio will perform this feat in a car with less than a 1-liter engine, roughly the equivalent of a mid-size motorcycle! More importantly, they'll be undertaking this adventure without any truly useful skills - like a basic comprehension of mechanics or even a modicum of foreign language ability. They fully expect to encounter loads of trouble and unforeseen obstacles. As the Mongol Rally planners say, "The more that goes wrong, the better".

Beyond the adventure, tremendous good comes from the Rally: 1) Their team has committed to raise $2,000 in donations for two worthy charities, Mercy Corps and Hope and Homes for Children (more details below) 2) Additionally, they believe that there's inherent benefit in Westerners connecting with individuals in these seldom traveled corners of the world.

The team is asking for help to meet its charitable goal. Mercy Corps is among the first charities on the ground providing assistance during times of global crisis, such as in China and Myanmar. Hope and Homes supports the poorest children in the world - those who are orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable - by enabling them to grow up within the love of a family and the security of a home. Please donate as little as one pound (about $2). Each member of the team has made personal contributions and will donate their vehicle when they arrive in Mongolia.

How to donate

1. Go to their team page on the Will We Make It website at:

http://www.willwemakeit.com/thesquirrels

2. Click on the pink "donate" button

3. Assuming this is your first time using this site you'll need to set up a profile