A HAMPSHIRE teenager is about to embark on an 8,000-mile adventure from Cairo to Cape Town in aid of charity.

Tom Stephens will spend four months cycling through some of the most dangerous parts of Africa in aid of the Tour D’Afrique Foundation.

Him and the other 50 intrepid cyclists have even been warned they will need a police escort in some cities.

But for the 18-year-old former Peter Symonds College student from Winchester the trip promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.

He said: “I wanted to do something more epic than just bumming around and seeing some sights on my gap year.

“I’m also a huge cycling enthusiast and, having been born in South Africa, I always felt I wanted to see the rest of the continent, so I thought it would be quite cool to do it by bike.

“It just looks like a really good race and I will enjoy the challenge.”

The foundation raises money to supply bicycles to healthcare professionals and other organisations throughout Africa, which will be donated from the back of an accompanying lorry en route.

Tom, who’ll be cycling up to 120 miles a day, said: “I’m a bit nervous but I have done a couple of 60 or 70 mile cycles and haven’t felt too bad. Other people say you tend to get quite fit while doing it.

“It promises to be a long, hard trip, exhausting both mentally and physically, with plenty of saddle sores. It will definitely be exhilarating and an experience I will never forget.”

Tom will spend between five and eight hours a day cycling with the group and sleeping in tents by the side of the road in the evenings.

He added: “The race organisers do keep an eye on us. Last year they were due to go through Kenya but they changed the route at the last minute because of the riots.”

The teenager is close to raising the £6,000 needed to take part in the trip.

n Anyone who wants to sponsor Tom can call 07871 507621.