A COUPLE from Calne are preparing to spread their wings to tackle a journey thousands of miles around the world – by microlight.

Sarah Brown, 53, and Julian Midder, 49, of The Green, Calne, are preparing to fly a microlight along the former Dakar Rally route, taking them from France to Senegal, leaving on Saturday. Mr Midder, who is a flying instructor at Membury, and Miss Brown decided to take part in the challenge to raise money for Water Aid, and the journey is also the first official attempt at the Paris-Dakar route by this class of aircraft, so setting a world record.

Miss Brown said: “We have been getting more and more serious about doing this for a while and now we are finally doing it. We will be flying to Paris and then going through the South of France, along the Mediterranean coast, through Morocco and then to Senegal where we will be meeting the Water Aid team who will show us round the place.”

After becoming a couple, Miss Brown started learning how to fly, to keep up with her partner.

“I learned to fly in the relationship so I could survive. Now we are on a mission to do as many adventures as possible. We should hopefully be back by May 8,” added Miss Brown.

The Dakar Rally was cancelled in 2008 amid fears of a terrorist attack in Mauritania, causing serious doubts over the its future. Since then Chile and Argentina offered to host subsequent events.

The aim of the flight is to keep the spirit of the original race alive while at the same time raising funds for Water Aid, which works to provide clean water and sanitation for millions of the world’s poorest people.

Miss Brown and Mr Midder will be updating their Facebook account, Paris to Dakar Microlight, as the journey progresses.

To donate to the Just Giving page search Paris to Dakar on www.justgiving.com.