A YOUNG couple are gearing up for an epic road trip across the world – starting in their home town of Malvern.

Mike Ferguson and Jess Heath are currently living in Sydney, Australia, but are travelling back to Britain –- and in particular Belle Vue Terrace – to start their 16,000-mile adventure.

The couple have already raised more than £1,000 for charity ahead of the summer trip which will take place in a modest Renault Clio and see them cross more than 20 countries. “We are both really excited about the trip and going through places that are not often visited,” said Mike, who is 29 and lives in Summerfield Road, Malvern Link.

“I’m probably more nervous than Jess but it’s understandable – a lot of planning and preparation has gone into this trip and it isn’t going to be easy, but I think once we’re on the road all the nerves will disappear.”

He says the things he misses from Malvern include the Nag’s Head pub in Malvern and a cup of tea at the St Ann’s Well cafe on the slopes of the Malvern Hills. He said: “We still think that on a sunny day, sitting on top of Worcestershire Beacon is the most beautiful place in the world though.”

The couple leave Malvern on July 13 and say the initial plan was to leave from 25-year-old Jess’s old house on West Malvern Road but could change the venue to Belle Vue Terrace for anyone wishing to wave them off. Their journey, called Our Long Drive Home, will see them take in countries including Russia, Mongolia, Cambodia and Thailand.

The charities they are raising money for are environmental group Cool Earth and One World Futbol which provides indestructible footballs to children in war-torn countries. For further information visit ourlongdrivehome.com and also visit kickstarter.com/projects and search Our Long Drive Home.