Mark Whitfield, 31, has just returned to work as an ambulance technician in Tolworth after a charity 3,000-mile drive to West Africa to donate an ambulance to a hospital in Dakar, Senegal. He spoke to Clara Story.

What made you want to drive an ambulance to Africa?

A couple of years ago, I wanted to take part in the Plymouth to Dakar Rally, which involves driving banger cars to west Africa for a charitable cause there.

But we didn't have the time or the money to do it. When I heard the London Ambulance Service was getting rid of some old vehicles, I called the rally organisers and asked them if that kind of thing was needed. They said African countries are crying out for medical facilities and I would have a guaranteed place if I could get an ambulance there.

How long did it take?

Me, my fiancée Viv and friend Jules left on December 22 and handed the ambulance to the hospital on January 17. We drove through the Pyrenees where we had ice on the inside of the ambulance, through Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal, where temperatures were up to 100F.

We slept in the ambulance but stopped for accommodation at some points - and we went across the desert in a convoy with other vehicles from the rally for the sake of safety. Bandits could target an ambulance, as they would know there were medical supplies on board.

Did you fund the trip yourselves?

Me and Jules studied engineering together a few years back so we are both trained mechanics. The ambulance cost about £450 but we needed to get parts, medical equipment, supplies, and then it used a huge amount of petrol during the trip.

We spent about £7,000 in total, including food and any accommodation, but had about £1,500 in donations from friends and family. We have been too busy to fundraise properly.

What was it like to drive so far?

It was a great thing to do and we really enjoyed it, even if it is not something I would do again. It was very stressful and we didn't know what would be next.

We had to give a lot of bribes to get through road checkpoints in Mauritania - it was friendly robbery as they had guns but smiled at you as they asked you for presents. The sand and dust in the desert gets absolutely everywhere, and it feels very chilly now we're back.

What will the ambulance mean to the people in Dakar?

Before this, they had only one ambulance for a city of a million people. It was such a relief to get it there in one piece. One of them said it was the best one they had ever seen, and we were quite touched by that. I hope it will make a difference. and last them a long time.

To donate to Mark's mission, visit ambulanceantics.spaces.live.com.