TWO former soldiers from Wirral are in the final stages of a motorcycle trek through 26 European Cities to raise cash for war veterans.

Pete Bray and Harry Glover, from 22 SAS and 4/73 Special OP Battery, set off on their 15,000 mile trip on August 1, outside Buckingham Palace.

They are raising funds and awareness for three charities close to their hearts; BLESMA, Soldiers off the Streets and Alder Hey Children's Charity.

They have travelled through Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Bucharest, Athens, Madrid and Lisbon.

Along the way the daring duo have battled all kinds of terrain, a wide range of weather conditions, and even potentially life-threatening mechanical failures, but have battled through to make it back to the United Kingdom.

Harry, 49, said: "We've almost finished this amazing trek, that's taken us to all of the best-known cities and the most remote regions of mainland Europe.

"A lot of people told us that it couldn’t be done, but we’ve proved them wrong and we’re set to return to the UK in record time.

"I want to thank everybody who helped us along the way and hope that we’ve made a difference to those charities that change lives on a daily basis."

BLESMA provides ex-soldiers with valuable help and support, giving them the tools needed to regain their independence following the loss of limbs.

Soldiers off the Street provides food, shelter and other support for vulnerable soldiers of all ages who have returned from active duty and are in need of assistance in getting back on their feet.

The initiative also takes on a more personal note for Harry Glover, whose young daughter Elizabeth will undergo life-changing surgery in the autumn with the support of Alder Hey.

Harry Glover and Pete Bray’s expedition has been entirely self-funded, with the support of their families and friends. As such, they have spent all but one night of their expedition sleeping out on the streets or in small tents when luxury allowed.

As former servicemen, Harry and Pete know all too well the dangers that soldiers face both on the battlefield and when they return home.

However, Pete Bray, 58 – who is already a world record holder being the only person to Kayak the Atlantic unsupported - has taken on a whole new set of dangers, having only passed his motorcycle test in late 2013.

He said: "Considering this is my first proper motorcycle trek I’m pleased that we’ve managed to come as far as we have done.

"Things got interesting in Greece when my tyre blew out, and one set of paniers acted as a cushion. As we were in a remote location, it was touch and go as to whether it could be fixed in time, but luckily a Harley-Davidson dealer came to the rescue.

"I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to England and having a good night’s sleep."

When not taking on challenges, Harry and Pete are directors of their own security and training firm, Primarius Ltd., which is based in Birkenhead.