A COUPLE from York are preparing for a challenging 300 mile bike ride across Vietnam, raising money for Help for Heroes.

Student Rachael Vardy, 22, and her boyfriend Patrick Davison, 23, will jet out on Saturday to begin an eight day challenge that will take them from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi.

The pair are raising money for Help for Heroes, a cause close to their hearts as Patrick serves as a Lance Corporal with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and is based at Topcliffe near Thirsk.

Rachael said: "We have a lot of friends in the army, and while we have been collecting donations the amount of people who shared stories with us has been amazing."

"With Patrick in the army and if, God forbid, something ever happened to him I would like the reassurance that someone would be there to help him."

On the trip they will see some of Vietnam's stunning countryside but experience another side of the country when they visit war memorials from its turbulent past, Rachael added. They will be riding alongside other Help for Heroes supporters and American cyclists raising cash for the charity's US counterpart Operation Comfort.

The pair are aiming to raise £7,200 between themand are well on their way with more than £6,700 pledged so far. Sponsor them online at bmycharity.com/rachaelandpatrick.