News
Prince William and Prince Harry prepare for a 1000-mile bike trip across South Africa
17th October 2008
Princes William and Harry have set off on a 1,000-mile charity motorbike trek across South Africa.
The Princes are among 80 riders taking part in the eight-day rally from Port Edward to Port Elizabeth.
Altogether, the riders aim to raise £250,000 for Prince Harry's charity Sentebale, Unicef and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
Prince William said the trip was a "mixture of adventure and charity", with money being raised for "three absolutely brilliant charities".
He said: "It's a great way of bringing all the three charities together and understanding the fact that Aids in Africa is still a major issue".
Speaking before they set off, the 26-year-old Prince said they had not done any specific training for what is billed as one of the most gruelling off-road bike routes.
"We both ride bikes at the moment on the road, but on-road biking is nothing compared to this.
"All the off-road stuff is up hills, down slopes across rivers, and it's all rocky and hilly, it's going to be fun," he said.
Prince Harry added: "It's not just a bimble across the countryside that's for sure, it's going to be very challenging and [we are] expecting to fall off many a time, every day."
The 24-year-old called the experience "hugely important".
Prince Harry's charity Sentebale, which helps disadvantaged children in Lesotho, especially children orphaned by AIDS, will receive around £100,000 from the event.
Money will also go to the other two organisations working in South Africa to help communities blighted by Aids or improve the prospects of youngsters.
The Enduro group, which is organising the trek, has raised nearly £1million over the past three years for the charitable causes favoured by the Princes.
Prince Harry, an officer in the Household Cavalry regiment, said the Princes were both looking forward to the challenge.
He said: "We never really spend any time together - we've got separate jobs going on at the moment.
"But it's great fun - well I don't know yet, we'll have to tell you. We might argue, we might have a bit of fun."
Prince William joked: "The pain of spending a week with my brother is well worth it."
Rachel Ward, from the Nelson Mandela children's fund, told BBC Five Live the teams were well prepared.
"We're delighted that they're drawing attention to the work that we're all doing for children in South Africa," she said.
The Princes previously joined forces to stage the Concert for Diana in 2007 in memory of their mother and again, in May 2008, to hold City Salute, to raise awareness of the sacrifice made by the British Armed Forces.
Click here to find out more about Sentebale.