A COUPLE will be testing their nerve in countries like Syria this year, as they cycle more than 12,000 miles for charity.

Loretta White, 30, and husband Craig Pollard, 34, hope to raise £100,000 for street children.

The Waterperry couple and four friends will set off from London on August 7.

Dr White, a paediatric clinical psychologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, said: “This was all my husband’s idea, but it’s been in the works for a long time.”

From London, they will cycle through Europe to Turkey and through Syria and the Middle East before venturing into Africa and down to Cape Town. Both have been given a year’s sabbatical for the trip.

In Syria, thousands of protesters have been taking to the streets in demonstrations against President Bashar al-Assad.

Many have escaped to Turkey in the wake of reported mass violence and crackdowns on protesters.

Dr White said: “If things are unsettled we will have to rethink our plan for that bit and maybe get a boat from Turkey to somewhere else in the Middle East.

“We are watching and waiting to see what happens.

“We’re also watching and waiting with regards to Egypt too as they are due to have elections later this year.”

She added: “We are trying to train as much as we can.

“The most we’ve ridden together is three days in a row. I think we’re looking at Europe as a bit of a training session.”

Dr White said: “Along the way, we’ll be visiting some of the smaller charities we are raising money for. We’ll be able to see first-hand the challenges they face.”

Mr Pollard, a fundraiser in London, said: “We are committed to raising money and awareness for street children in Africa.”