A trio of rugby fans will be heading off to see the World Cup in Japan later this year - by bicycle.

They are part of a six-man team who will complete the first leg of the 8,100-mile journey to Krakow before heading on through Russia and six other countries to their destination in the Far East.

Their aim is also to raise £6,000.

The money will be divided between The Alzheimer’s Society, Fight for Sight, which funds research into blindness, and Slide Away, a Kent-based charity which supports bereaved children.

The riders are brothers Dale and Keith House and his son Linford, who will ride the full distance, and Carl Moses, Dave Austen, Cathel Bartello.

They will set off from Aylesham on June 12 and expect to arrive in Poland on June 20.

Dale, Keith and Linford, who plays for Snowdown Rugby Club, will then continue the epic journey, aiming to be in Japan for the start of the rugby tournament in September.

Dale, who has given up his job at the Port of Dover to take on the ride, admitted they had taken on a huge challenge.

But the team, who have call themselves Bike Rugby Japan, are no strangers to the challenges of long distance cycling. This year will be their eighth major challenge since 2012.

Previous tours having been to Scotland, Spain, Croatia, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and Hungary.

“We’ve done quite a few long charity rides before, but this one will be by far the biggest,” said Dale.

“We will also be riding in quite a few remote areas and so will need to be prepared.

“But we are training hard with fully loaded panniers to ensure we are ready.

“It’s very exciting and going to be quite an adventure.”

The group’s support vehicle will be driven to Krakow by Roger Hadfield.

From that point onwards the House trio will be on their own for the next 7,000 miles.

To find out more, click here and to support their fundraising, visit here.