In news that may be of interest to Mini car hire aficionados, an enthusiast of the iconic sports car has embarked on a charitable venture using a 1989 Mini model.

Mini fan Stevie Mann is driving across the UK in his standard 1,000 cc vehicle in a bid to raise £30,000 for the purchase of a lifeboat for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), reports the Press and Journal.

The 5,000-mile journey will see Mr Mann visit 167 RNLI lifeboat stations across the country as he makes his way from the north down to Cornwall, where he is expected to arrive on October 11th.

Speaking of his experience so far, the 53-year-old singer told the publication: "The low point was having to sleep in the car in cold temperatures at John O'Groats last Saturday (September 19th).

"The highlights have been driving in Scotland and the welcome I've received from RNLI supporters."

Mini, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is one of the models that is popular with London sports car hire fans.