A FATHER and son are to retrace the journey made by brave D-Day troops in a rally across Europe.

Richie Pemberton, 59, from Connah’s Quay, and son Mike, 26, will relive the Second World War Allied invasion through France, Holland and Germany in a 4x4 rally to raise cash for Help for Heroes.

The 10-day challenge, which gets underway tomorrow, will see the pair drive their Mitsubishi Shogun 3,000 miles across Europe. They will lead a convoy of 40 4x4 vehicles from Wiltshire to Portsmouth where they will board the ferry to France.

From Normandy they will visit the site of the Market Garden and Rhine offensives at Arnhem in Holland, before moving south to Belgium.

They will then travel to Dachau in Germany and conclude their journey at Adolf Hitler’s retreat – the Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden.

Along the way the team will visit museums and enjoy off-road driving.

It is the second time Richie and Mike, a horticulture student, have taken part in the challenge.

Richie, of Englefield Avenue, told the Leader: “We are starting our journey from the Littlecote House Hotel in Wiltshire which was actually the Allied headquarters during the Second World War.

“I have been rally driving for most of my life. I can’t wait for this challenge.”

The team – which includes current and former servicemen – is hoping to smash its £200,000 target and has already raised more than £116,000.

The pair would like to thank FTS Hatswell, of Deeside, which has funded the £1,000 fuel bill for the journey and UK and European Logistic Solutions and CES of Chester.

Anybody who would like to make a donation should log on to www.h4hrally.co.uk