THEY robbed the rich to help the poor.

And this modern day band of Sherwood Forest outlaws hope to do something very similar over the next few days.

Robin Hood and his Merry Men – alias five mates from The Clough House pub at Rastrick – are bound for Germany on a charity mission.

They are taking part in the Crumball Rally, a 2,000-mile challenge to drive an old banger to Munich in Germany in less than 72 hours.

The gang of five – Robin Hood (Chris Loft), Little John (Andy Brown), Maid Marian (Daniel Gill), Friar Tuck (Martin Cockram) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Andy Smith) – were today meeting up with other competitors in Antwerp.

They left the pub yesterday to drive down to Ramsgate for the cross Channel ferry in their V-registered Volvo, imported from the continent for the princely sum of just £200.

And it attracted a few odd looks on the journey down, as the Merry Men have built their own treehouse on the roof.

Between now and Sunday, they will be clocking up the miles through Belgium, Poland and Germany before, hopefully, arriving in Munich for the rally finish on Sunday.

And they hope to enjoy a pint or three at the city’s famous Oktoberfest beer festival!

But they also hope their efforts will have raised well over £1,000 for the Huddersfield-based Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trusts.