A lorry driver is gearing up for a 1,200-mile charity rally to raise money in memory of his niece who died after being born prematurely.

Marc Collins, 35, and friend Mark Rogers, 41, will drive a Volvo to through nine European countries on the way to Monaco in August.

The pair have been inspired to raise cash for Action Medical Research, which seeks to invest in research to save children’s lives.

For Marc, from Herne Bay, the journey is tinged with a tragic loss. His sister, Leanne Collins, gave birth to twins Sienna and Kyan 12 weeks early at the William Harvey Hospital in 2011.

Sienna was transferred to the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, but she died after 23 days from bowel disorder necrotising enterocolitis.

The disorder affects about 3% of babies born, but up to 35% of them may die. The risk is particularly great to babies like Sienna and Kyan, who are born extremely early.

Marc said: “It turned our family upside down, and was the worst experience of our lives, so we wanted to support Action Medical Research to try to stop something like this happening to other families.

“Kyan is three now, and you just can’t keep him still. He bounces all over the place, but we’ll always feel the loss of Sienna.”

Marc will be completing the Two Ball Banger Rally in a Volvo he bought for £400, taking a route through Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg and Germany.

He added: “I’ve driven through all those countries in a truck, but what makes it harder are all the extra challenges we’ve got to do along the way.”

Mr Collins has so far raised £1,236 towards his £5,000 target, and has received donations from local firms such as FL Mitchell Fencing and Lifestyle Signs.

To sponsor Marc, visit www.action.org.uk/sponsor/2meninashed.