Bikers in 700-mile, six-country charity ride

John Joyce, spokesman for the Sunday, February 24 event, says: "The challenge is for six motorcycles to cover six countries in one day - an event never before attempted.

"Each rider has to attract a major sponsor and as many minor sponsors as possible.

"The aim is to raise 2,000-plus for the Macmillan cancer fund.

"Euro Tunnel have kindly sponsored our cross-channel fare and the riders are to pay their own fuel, tolls, food etc.

"All the riders are local, as indeed is the main organiser, Charlie Whyte of Phoenix Motorcycles, Beeching Road.

"We would like to stress this is NOT a race; rather an event to raise as much money as possible for this worthwhile cause."

Taking part will be Charlie Whyte, Steve Bennett, John Joyce, Sebastian Guard, Andy Leese and Alistair Bell - all from Bexhil and Hastings - plus one colleague from Surrey.

All will be riding solo.

Proof of having visited each country will be obtained by taking photographs at each border crossing.

Charlie Whyte has already planned the route and the riders say they will be going come rain or come shine.

The round trip from the 4am start will take them through France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg.

Each rider has to secure 100 sponsorship from a single company.

Backers, in addition to Phoenix Motorcycles, include: The Plumbing Academy, Impact Scaffolding, Weruwise Glazing, Zilla UK and Putoline Oils.

Each rider is also seeking sponsorship or donations from friends, colleagues and the public.

The original plan had been to raise 1,000. Now the team have their sights set on 2,000.

The trip was Charlie's idea.

He said: "We were just having a cup of coffee and talking and said it would be nice to do the trip we had just done over three days in ONE day and do it for charity.

"This was back last summer. We thought about it and I tried it out last November to see if it was 'do-able' by six riders.

"Seven hundred miles in a day is not that difficult but you have to look after the people involved. So I have planned it that we will stop every 100 miles, re-fuel and have a coffee break.

"We don't want a nice idea going bad with someone having an accident because they are tired.

"We needed a charity and I thought about Macmillan Cancer Support. When I got the literature I couldn't believe it. Cancer affects every family."

Charlie, 58, has been riding for 42 years. He says: "Everyone has been SO supportive. I have collected 1,000 so far in the shop - I'm lucky in that I've got a 'captive audience.' They all have bikes and they all say 'Six countries in a day...!'

"One customer gave me 150 out of his own pocket - just a private guy. Most are giving 5 or 10."

Charlie will be riding his BMW R100GS.

"We will all be riding GSs - except for John who will be on his Triumph."

Mindful of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman's two highly successful televised bike marathons the team have named their project "The Long Way Back."