Dubai residents cycle around the Greek Islands for the Dubai Autism Centre

Amanda Gray and Odwin Winkeler will head to Athens before cycling across Crete and a number of other Greek Islands to help raise funds for the Dubai Autism Centre.

The pair have been planning the trip together for months and decided to make their holiday even more worthwhile by raising money - and awareness - of the centre which relies solely on donations and grants.

"We wanted to be able to enjoy the trip, but we also wanted to raise money for a good cause as well," said Amanda, who works for Gray Business Communications, a Dubai-based publisher.

"We have been appealing to our friends, families, business associates and networks to kindly make a donation towards the centre which plays such a vital role in helping to make the children's lives better."

Both Amanda and Odwin have been hitting the roads around Dubai over the past three months to prepare for the challenging trek.

"We feel like we are mentally and physically ready for what we know will be a magical trip and one which is helping such an important cause," said Odwin, who set himself a goal last year to carry out the cycling trip.

The pair will both carry trailers on the back of their bikes that will hold their camping material and up to 30kgs in equipment.

The trailers will also have flags that were painted by the children from the centre.

Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member for DAC, praised the initiative saying: "I would like to express my deep gratitude to Amanda and Odwin, whose action undoubtedly will contribute to provide the moral and material support for our centre, besides enhancing the affinity of the world's peoples."

Autism is a lifelong disorder that affects an individual's communication and social interaction skills. This can force a life of isolation from the rest of the community. DAC set up its various assessment and therapy services in order to encourage better understanding of Autism in the community and to provide high quality assessment and therapy services for children with Autism living in UAE.