Instead of shopping, latte sipping and spa hopping, they will drive an Alfa Romeo 159 from Sydney's Little Italy, in Leichhardt, to the Little Italy in the Melbourne inner-city suburb of Carlton.

The Italian Connection Trophy social motoring event has been running for three years.

The organisers hope to raise $100,000 for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that affects boys.

Mrs Solomou, who has a daughter and who lives in Kellyville, said she and Mrs Raikko were passionate about helping to raise money and awareness for the Duchenne Foundation.

``Tiina and I used to work together in marketing at Unilever and wanted to support a charity that needed help,'' she said. ``We wanted to do something that would make a difference.''

Mrs Solomou said she and her friend met a group of parents whose sons had Duchenne's and who told them valuable research was being carried out and that scientists were close ``to potentially finding a cure''.

``But they said there was not enough money to do so,'' she said. ``For a parent to watch a son growing while knowing he may die in his mid-20s is just horrific.''

Mrs Raikko lives in Cherrybrook and has two boys.

She said she was so grateful that her sons were healthy.

``There's so much work to still be done and we want to raise awareness of the Duchenne disease, because not many people have heard of it,'' she said.

Both women have since left Unilever, but were keen to be involved in the event.

They will leave on Friday and stop in Gundagai overnight and in Myrtleford in Victoria on Saturday night.

They will spend Sunday in Melbourne before driving home on Monday.

``We'll be taking it in turns to drive the car and navigate, but we are both very competitive so will be in it to win,'' Mrs Solomou said.

They have already raised $7000 for the foundation.

Mrs Raikko has not ruled out taking part in future events.

``It's great to be part of this big adventure,'' she said. ``It's not something the average suburban wife gets to do.

``It's a bit like Thelma and Louise, but hopefully with a happier ending.''

Details: Mrs Solomou and Mrs Raikko created a campaign to help the Duchenne Foundation. See blueball.org.au.