Brothers are set to cycle through wartime battlefields with nothing but bare essentials to raise money for fallen soldiers.

Jonny Ellis, a care designer at Chamelon Information Management Services, in High Street, Rickmansworth, and his older brother, Chris Ellis, who lives in Watford, are preparing for the 1,000 mile trip from London to Berlin to support the Royal British Legion.

The pair will leave from Tower Hill on Saturday, September 20 and will spend three weeks sleeping rough and battling through the autumn elements until they reach their destination.

Their trip will take them via the Western Front battlefields, before eventually ending at the historic Brandenberg Gate, in the heart of the German capital.

Jonny, 26, said: “The unpredictable nature of our do-it-yourself cycle tour will keep every day exciting.

“You’re never sure what awaits down the road – from friendly locals to struggling to find the perfect camping spot.

“Overcoming the elements will make our trip truly memorable.”

They will cycle to Dover before catching a ferry to Dunkirk, and travel through Bruges in Belgium, before heading south along the Western front via Ypres, Arras, Sommes, Aisne and Verdun.

Their ultimate goal is to raise £1,111.14 to mark this year’s Remembrance Sunday event, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

With just four days to go until they leave London, they have already raise £770 of their target.

The brothers will be filming their trip and creating a documentary of their experience, which they then hope to upload to YouTube.

He added: “As we’re cycling and camping each day we’d obviously like an Indian summer, but hopefully any hardships along the way will result in more donations.

“£11,111.14 would be an amazing target but that might be pushing it a little bit. The ride combines my love of history and cycling to raise money for a great cause.

“This is my first time cycling for charity so it’s also really exciting to be putting my efforts towards a good cause.”

To sponsor the brothers visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=WW1cycle