Whanganui cars enter Pork Pie Charity Run

The Mini Brian and Margaret will drive in the Pork Pie Charity Run.

Two teams from Whanganui are gearing up to take their cars to Invercargill as part of the bi-annual Pork Pie Charity Run.

The Kidscan initiative will see 60 Minis take to the road over Easter weekend, travelling from Kaitaia to Invercargill in the spirit of iconic kiwi film Goodbye Pork Pie.

It takes six days to cover the 2500km distance, where participants will travel through cities and towns of all sizes, and make special stops at Goodbye Pork Pie filming locations.

Team BEJAE, made up of Brian and Margaret Johnson will take part in their second run after first making the trip in 2017.

Brian said this year's run is a fitting way to celebrate his Mini's 40th birthday.

"I've got a 1979 Mini that started life out as a Plunket nurse's car in Dunedin, I purchased it in 2001 and drove it up here.

"Basically it's as original as it can be, only it's got mags now and I've changed the seats for more comfort," Brian said.

This year will be the sixth Pork Pie charity run which has gained significant popularity since 2009, so much so registration went on sale in April last year.

"We were told registration would be going live at midday, by five past 12 all spots were already taken."

"It's a really fun way to see the country and a great way to meet other Mini enthusiasts," Brian said.

The last time the couple took part, the convoy raised more than $200,000 for Kidscan.

All money raised goes directly to the charity and participants have to cover costs for petrol, accommodation, and breakdowns themselves.

A condition of entry is for teams to commit to raising a minimum of $1000 for the charity.

"We've already raised more than $4000 from a quiz night, golf tournament, and picking up businesses as sponsors."

"I'm confident this drive will hit $200,000 again, if not more," Brian said.

The run will be a new experience for cousins Emma Bates-Cudby and Monique Collins, who are taking part for the first time.

"It's a great charity to raise money for and a fun way to do it," Bates-Cudby said.

The team will be driving a 1982 Mini, which is undergoing a service before hitting the road.

The 1982 Mini Emma and Monique will drive. Photo / Supplied

"I've had it for about six years, and it's been a bit of a nightmare along the way to be honest but it's going good now,"

"It hasn't gone this far before, so hopefully we get home without the need for a tow truck," she said.

Donations can be made on the Pork Pie Charity Run 2019 website or in person when the cars roll in to town.

The convoy is due to stop in Whanganui on Saturday, April 20, and will park up behind the old Chronicle building on Taupo Quay from about 1.30pm.