WILD animals, dehydration and breathing difficulties are just some of the problems a local couple will face during a 300 mile African cycle ride for charity this Autumn.

Former Morecambe High School pupils Rachel Hipple and her boyfriend, Jason Burbury, an ex pupil of Lancaster Boys Grammar School, both 23, are part of a nationwide team of 40 cyclists who will tackle the journey through Rift Valley, Kenya.

"The trip will take six days during which we'll reach the heights of 6000ft and we'll cross the equator several times," said Rachel from her parents' home in Bolton-le-Sands.

"The journey is actually a safari so we've been warned to keep our tents closed at night in case of predators!" she added.

The beneficiaries of this effort will be the Middlesex-based Norwood-Ravenswood charity, which helps people with learning difficulties, and the National Down's Syndrome Association, an organisation particularly close to Rachel's heart as her sister Catherine has Down's Syndrome. She has been helped to live in a sheltered community and work in Lancaster's Marks and Spencer branch. Rachel and Jason need to raise £2,000 each.

"Some charity events have received negative publicity recently," Rachel said: "With a few sponsors believing their money does little more than fund a holiday for the participants but I must stress that every penny we raise goes directly to the two charities."

She added: "We are paying for the trip out to Kenya ourselves and it's imperative that we meet our fundraising target."

The pair have already raised some cash through two concerts at Lancaster Priory, an Awareness Day at Camelot theme park, collections at Salford Reds rugby club and at Morrisons, Morecambe, as well as shop collections in Liverpool where the couple now live.

Rachel is a physiotherapist and Jason a nurse at the Whiston Hospital on Merseyside.

Morecambe British Energy Band have agreed to donate proceeds from the sale of their recent CD to the cause and Carnforth Rotary Club are also backing the pair.

Any business or organisation who would like to add their support can contact Rachel's parents, Jocelyn and Alan Hipple on 01524 823328.