A PENARTH family are supporting their son as he bids to cross the Sahara Desert in a 30-year-old Renault 4.

Kevin Vevaud, whose mother attended Stanwell School, is currently taking part in the 4L Trophy rally across the Sahara Desert.

The 4L Trophy is a humanitarian rally that only students between the ages of 18 and 28 can join with Renault 4 cars.

Kevin, along with his friend and co-driver Roman, has crossed the Atlas Mountains and is hoping to reach the finishing point in Marrakesh in around 10 days time.

Kevin, a medical student at Limoges in France, is the son of former Stanwell School pupil Penni Schroeter, who moved to France after completing a degree in French and Spanish, and grandson of Penarth resident Elizabeth Schroeter.

His grandmother Elizabeth, of Thorn Grove, said Kevin had been supported by local businesses to take part in the rally.

“They have to be careful as it’s a very old car,” she said.

“The key is to get to Marrakesh all in one piece.

“I’m sure that all our friends wish them the best of luck.”

She added that Kevin, who lived in France but has spent his summer holidays in Penarth for the last 20 years, was passionately Welsh and would be carrying a Welsh dragon on the car throughout the race.