A Tadworth man is getting back in the saddle for a cross-country motorbike ride with his son to raise money for charities helping animals, people with cancer or progressive illnesses, and ex-military personnel.

Alan Joseph, 69, from Boxhill Road, Tadworth, will be riding alongside his son Philip, 50, who lives in Stowmarket, and ten other motorbike enthusiasts for the charity ride.

The group, who call themselves the Alien Riders, will be setting off from Stowmarket today (Saturday, June 25).

The Alien Riders will follow the coast northwards to John O’Groats, down the west coast to Wales, Devon and Land’s End, riding the south coast before curving back up to East Anglia.

The group expect the trip to take about two weeks, and will be camping under the stars on most of those nights.

Mr Joseph snr., a former swimming pool sales manager, got his first motorbike aged just 16, but gave up riding when he started a family in his twenties.

He picked up his hobby again a few years ago, but with the encouragement of his son, he will be getting back in the saddle as the group collect donations for The Brooke, Macmillan cancer charity, the British Legion and St Elizabeth Hospice in Suffolk.

Mr Joseph snr. said: “I’m a bit nervous about this ride because I’m out of practice – sitting on the bike for six hours a day it can take its toll after two weeks.

“We’re also camping most nights, which at my age should be interesting!”

The Brooke helps educate communities across the world reliant on working horses, mules and donkeys in how to properly care for their animals.

Mr Joseph snr. said: “I’ve seen that these people don’t mean to treat the animals badly, it’s just a lack of education, and the Brooke is training communities all the time to improve the animals’ lives. I want to help them.

“The group want all the money we raise to go to our chosen charities, so we’re covering our own costs. It means we’re relying on the kindness of our hosts along the way.”

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ALAN-JOSEPH2