Mr Ross, 42, has left his wife and two daughters to spend the summer holiday riding 8,500 miles on a vintage motorbike with his friend Chaz Ing, of Potterhamworth, to raise money for the Cambridge Mongolia Disaster Appeal and When You Wish Upon A Star.

He said: "We have 230 miles to do a day with Sundays off so we can service our bikes and do paperwork etc.

"In western Europe 230 miles will be nothing, but once we get nearer Mongolia 50 miles will be hard going.

"I've never done anything like this before but I was in the Territorial Army for 14 years so I have a bit of basic knowledge in ground and field craft but nothing like this."

When they reach their destination of Ulaanbaatar they will donate their bikes to the charities out there.

Mr Ross hopes they will have some time to spend in Ulaanbaatar so they can see what the charities do, but it depends how they get on as he has to be back at work on September 1.

The pair have received a lot of support from local businesses who have helped pay for fuel, visas and the bikes.

They hope to raise at least £1,000 to split between the charities.