A group of friends will cross the English Channel in kayaks to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Depending on the weather, the team of seven will leave dry land behind between Monday and Friday next week for the six-hour, 25-mile paddle from the Kent coast to Boulogne in France.

Brothers Jamie Levy, from Shenley, and Jonny Levy, from Hampstead Garden Suburb, will be joined by five friends for the crossing – along with safety boats equipped with radar and tracking systems to escort them on their journey and detect oncoming ships.

The team will travel in individual kayaks at a speed of around two to six knots, and will be hoping for little or no wind as they make their way across the Channel.

Jamie Levy, 34, a partner at commercial property and location agents Fidens, said: “Before we came up with the idea we didn’t have a clue even how to get into a kayak, let alone paddle. It’s been a steep learning curve but we’ve been training as and when we can over the past six months. Kayaking takes a lot of upper body strength and while I’m not sure any of us will be taking it up in the long-term, it is a truly great sport.

“Who knows what will happen on the day, but I’m confident everyone will give 100 per cent and more than hopeful we’ll make it across.”

The group, aged between 26 and 34, has already raised more than £5,000 for the UK’s leading dementia research charity.

Jodie Vaughan, community fundraising manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We wish the group every success with their Channel challenge. Every £20 they raise is enough to pay for another hour of dementia research, bringing us closer to finding ways to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

“We rely on public donations to fund our world-class research and it’s thanks to the commitment of people like Jamie, Jonny, Nick, Joshua, Justin, James and Michael that we’re able to continue our crucial work.”

To help the team raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK’s pioneering dementia research, visit their fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/kayak-the-channel