After forming the initial idea, which naturally enough evolved over a glass or two of wine, Henry Butler and Andy Martin are now starting to plan their route, which will take them from the English Wine Centre at Alfriston, through France and across the Alps to Bra in north west Italy, the headquarters of the Slow Food organisation.

They will launch their fundraising campaign for Chestnut Tree House, near Arundel, at the Glynde Food & Drink Festival being held later this month.

This year's festival will also incorporate the 33rd English Wine Festival and has provided Henry and Andy with an ideal launch pad for their epic bike ride.

Henry owns Butlers Wine Cellar in Brighton's Queen's Park and is a keen supporter of the slow food movement, which began in Italy in 1989 as the antithesis to fast food. Andy, who works in London as an IT consultant, is equally passionate about good food and wine.

"We did a wine tasting and auction in aid of the hospice and that is how the idea first started," said Henry.

"Chestnut Tree House is the only children's hospice in Sussex and costs around £2 million per year to run.

"Families are not charged for their care and the hospice receives no government funding at all, so it relies completely on the generosity, help and support of the people of Sussex.

"The aim is to set off from the English Wine Centre at Alfriston with bottles of wine that win awards at the Glynde Food and Drink Festival and then catch the Newhaven ferry to Dieppe.

"From there we will visit Jacquesson in the Champagne region, travel up to the mountains of Alsace to see the bio-dynamic winemaker Domaine Ostertag and about turn to Burgundy to meet the Bret Brothers before working our way through Rhone and the Alps to Bra in north west Italy.

"Along the way we will arrange English wine tastings with groups of French people and hopefully raise awareness about English wine and money for the hospice."

While the pair source a tandem they have been taking to the roads around Brighton on separate bicycles to start getting fit for next summer's bike ride and anyone interested in supporting them can find out more by visiting their stand at the food festival taking place on September 22 and 23.

It is the second year Glynde has staged the festival and this year's event will provide plenty of attractions for food and drink enthusiasts of all ages.

Following the success of the Kids' Kitchen at last year's festival, author and television presenter Amanda Grant will be staging even more foodie events for budding young chefs.

Other festival highlights include talks by Peter Bayless, winner of BBC MasterChef 2006 and a packed programme of talks, demonstrations and tastings.

Set in the magnificent grounds of the Elizabethan manor house against the backdrop of the South Downs, food and drink lovers will be able to sample a wide range of fine produce from selected producers, including an oyster bar, farmhouse meats, ethnic cuisine, dairy, bakery, organic foods, spices and accompaniments.

The festival will be open from 10.30am to 5pm on both days and tickets cost £6, or £8 including a festival glass, if bought in advance, and £4 for concessions.

On the day they will cost £8, £10 and £5 respectively. There is free entry for children aged 12 or under.

Further information and tickets are available from Glynde Place on 01273 858 224 and the festival website at www.glynde.co.uk