Pollyanna Townsend-Rose, who was born and raised in the village, and husband James will cross 23 different countries on their epic Sandbags to Sand Dunes journey, starting from Sandhurst and heading across Europe, the Middle East and down the east coast of Africa in their trusty 14-year-old Landrover Defender.

The route takes them through snowy mountains, scorching deserts, the highest peak in Africa to the lowest place on Earth, from the plains of the Serengeti to mosquito-infested swamps – not to mention the wild animals.

The 28-year-old business development manager, who is the daughter of Alistair and Rosalind Bond, says the aim is to have the adventure of a lifetime whilst also raising money for Help for Heroes, The Prostate Cancer Charity and Hope and Homes for Children.

Pollyanna said: "I love exploring new places and Africa is a continent which I don't know well at all. This time we are taking travel to the next level and sleeping in a roof tent for eight months, which should be interesting!

"I can't wait for the African sunsets, meeting local people, witnessing the dramatic landscapes and soaking up each country at a time.

"There were a few deciding factors when planning our route. The east coast route has recently opened up, and even though there is a civil war in Darfur, the north east section of Sudan is currently safe to pass through.

"We also wanted to visit the areas where Hope and Homes for Children are working – Bosnia, Rwanda and South Africa.

"Some UK-South Africa overland routes cross the Mediterannean through Spain or Italy, but we were desperate to include Turkey, Syria and Jordan. We also have friends along the way who we hope will be able to put us up for a night or two and maybe even give us a shower!"

But she added: "I'm not looking forward to the long bumpy roads, breaking down and border crossings, though I am so pleased to be raising money for worthy causes while having an adventure of a lifetime."

Husband James, also 28, who serves with the Army, said: "Having been born in Cape Town, I grew up in South Africa and travelled extensively around the area as a toddler.

"My only memories are nearly being trampled on by an elephant and getting typhoid in Malawi, so now is my opportunity to make some more memories, experience the best – and probably the worst – that the Middle East and Africa has to offer, from coffee houses in Cairo to camel markets in Khartoum, and eventually, after eight months, return to the town of my birth.

"With my Army career coming to an end and no children yet, what better time to have this adventure."

The couple also held a Sandbags to Sand Dunes Charity Ball at Sandhurst, where 250 guests raised over £15,000 for their chosen charities.