When Kings Langley resident Austin Jepsen’s father was suddenly diagnosed with a heart condition, he said it spurred him on to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Now he, along with former Parmiter’s School friend Jack Gordon, are cycling from Kings Langley to Morocco to raise money for the organisation.

Having set off in early August they hope to reach Marrakech, Morocco, by the end of September.

Austin, 21, of Tooveys Mill Close, said: “Jack and I had always wanted to travel, but when my dad fell ill we thought it would be a good idea to raise money for the British Heart Foundation as well.

“Our original idea was to drive to West Africa in a clapped out banger, but then we quickly realised that we couldn’t afford the petrol money and really knew nothing about cars, so if we broke down we’d have a few problems.

“We both like cycling, so thought what better than to cycle all the way there- although, we don’t really know that much about bikes.”

According to Cambridge University student Austin, the pair has raised the cash for the trip themselves, and any sponsorship they receive will go directly to the charity.

In order to prepare themselves for the trip the pair said they had been cycling more often and eating a “slightly healthier diet”.

Jack, 21, said: “The trip will be a massive challenge for both of us –it’s the first time either of us has done anything like this at all.

“We’ll be peddling thousands of miles, through different climates and although we’ve got ‘B-grades’ at French GCSE, that really is the extent of our language skills.

“But despite all of this we are determined to get to Morocco and raise as much money as we can for the British Heart Foundation - it's a cause that's particularly close to our hearts.”

To sponsor Jack and Austin visit: http://www.justgiving.com/mayneedstabilisers/2