DIAMONDS might be forever, but a two-time cancer survivor knows his £200 car won’t last that long as he prepares for a charity rally from Reims to Venice.

James Mason, aged 42, from Bury, hopes to raise thousands for Bury Cancer Support Centre and is taking on the James Bond-themed Thundercrawl rally.

The three-day rally begins in Reims tomorrow  with teams expected to complete the drive through France, Switzerland and Italy by this Sunday.

James and his friends Mike Livesey, Dave Knowles and Gareth Nield leave Bury today and will spend six days on the road, covering 2,500 miles.

James had testicular cancer when he was 30 and also battled skin cancer five years ago.

His son’s mother Carol Boldsworth died of breast cancer six years ago, aged 41.

He said: “Bury Cancer Support Centre have helped a lot of people we know and with them moving to their new building they need a lot of help with fundraising.

“I did a rally to Monaco two years ago and raised £2,000 for Cancer Research UK, so I would love to match that amount.”

The team were only allowed to spend a maximum of £200 on their car and have purchased a yellow Mercedes C240.

They boosted funds with a James Bond-themed Thunder Ball bash held at Elton Vale Sports Club last Saturday (July 19).

To donate: go to justgiving.com/4mercedes-bonz/ or text MERC97 and an amount (suggested donation £5) to 70070.