Dad-of-four Dave Muckle is taking a motorbike tour of Britain and Europe to raise money for RAF heroes.

The 53-year-old, of St Agnes Gardens, Sheerness, will be lead rider in a party of eight two-wheeled enthusiasts setting-off for the 3,000-mile, two-week journey on April 24.

Their first destination is RAF Cranwell in Cambridge, and from there they will take in 22 airfields across the UK which were used as bases during the Second World War.

The European leg will involve visits to military landmarks in France, Holland and Germany.

The trip has been organised to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day and raise £20,000 for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

Mr Muckle, a retired HGV driver, said: “This will not be an easy ride with some high mileages and some days visiting various sites on a schedule.

“But I’m sure everyone who is taking part will have two weeks they will never forget.”

It’s the second time the former soldier will have undertaken a far-flung motorbike ride fundraiser.

In 2011, he took part in the Great Escape, a pan-European jaunt which raised £17,000 for the same charity.

This time round the group, accompanied by a support vehicle and camera car, will be riding five Triumph Bonneville variants, and two Harley Davidsons which represent the Allied war involvement.

One of the trip’s highlights will be a stop-off at Luneburg Heath in Germany on Friday, May 8 – close to the date the enemy forces’ surrender was undersigned by Field Marshal Montgomery.

Looking ahead to the ride, Mr Muckle said: “Your bum takes a bit of a pounding and the 350-miles of motorway to Rotterdam are a bit brain-numbing.”

But he insisted the slog will have been worth it, as funds will go towards surviving Second World War pilots’ financial and physical wellbeing.

To sponsor Mr Muckle and his colleagues, visit justgiving.com/Peter-Spowage70.