A Highbury couple are attempting to redefine the boundaries of charity bike rides – by cycling from Highbury Fields to Australia.

Next Saturday, brave Ollie Roffey and Meg Lloyd will take on the mammoth journey to Sydney, taking 14 months.

Self-employed aviation consultant Ollie, of De Barowe Mews, Highbury, and Hackney teacher Meg have pledged to raise cash for SOS Children’s Villages, a charity that supports disadvantaged communities across the world.

As a teacher for children with special educational needs, Meg wants to help kids globally – especially those affected by the refugee crisis.

“We want to help the next generation, encouraging values of acceptance everywhere,” said Ollie.

“Meg and I are lucky to be living in London where we don’t have to face the challenges that the children on our journey do.”

The sporty pair, who met playing tag rugby, start their journey in Highbury Fields and will reach Australia by bike via the French Alps, Turkey, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Singapore.

Ollie and Meg will end their journey by flying from Singapore to Darwin and then completing the 5km cycle to Meg’s hometown of Newcastle, just north of Sydney.

At the end of the adventure, the couple will be settling down in Australia with Meg’s family.

Ollie added: “On our previous flights to Australia we’ve looked down, seen all the countries below and wondered what it would be like to travel through there.

“So we thought: ‘Why not?’”

However, he admitted they are both amateur cyclists.

“My experience is limited to a week-long cycling trip to south of France when I was 18,” he confessed, “while Meg commutes around London.”

As if the huge journey wasn’t enough, they will also face an obstacle in the form of their 30kg luggage – about the weight of an Alsatian dog – which they will transport with them at all times.

To donate, visit the pair’s fundraising page: justgiving.com/fundraising/Along-For-The-Ride – or go to alongfortheride.co.uk