A group of friends will take part in one great journey before going on an even greater one.

They set-off on the Hajj last week by road and are due to arrive in Saudi Arabia at the start of the pilgirmage on October 17.

The journey has been 18 months in the planning for the friends who were hoping to inspire younger people with their efforts.

The ten friends are all from Blackburn and are made up mainly of professionals and businessmen aged forty and over.

They had originally planned to travel the full distance by road however the deteriorating situation in Syria forced them to reconsider the plans.

Pharmacist Haroon Patel said, “We are undertaking a great journey so we can take part in the greatest journey which is the Hajj.

“We will be travelling by road to Istanbul and then catching a plane to Jordan. The journey will then continue by road from Jordan on to Saudi Arabia.

“It is the next best available option to us.

“We had been advised not to got through Syria.”

“Whilst in Jordan we will be journeying to the Holy Lands in Palestine and Masjid-e-Aqsa.

The group are travelling in a 16 seater mini bus and started planning the journey in December 2010.

Faruk Valli, who runs KQF Foods said, “We asked all our group of friends over 18 months ago and decided that this was to be the plan.

“After some discussion ten of us decided we could take part.

“From then on we have had regular meetings and even set-up sub-committees on each aspect of the journey. Our wellness committee aimed to get some of us into shape!”

“Everyone is responsible for particular issues.

“We took part in a camping trip to Wales to get used to camping and visited the London Hajj Exhibition.”

The journey from Jordan to Saudi Arabia should not take them more than 24 hours.

“On the way back we are driving by road from Istanbul.

“Before that we will be visiting Egypt.”

Faruk added, We appreciate the help from Jack Straw’s office in helping to facilitate overland visas with the Saudi Embassy in the UK.

“They too have been very helpful and receptive to our needs.”

l You can keep up to date with the group via Twitter @RTM2012UK or @asianimage.