Two Cambridge students have embarked on a 36 hour hitchhike in a effort to raise £1 million pounds for charity.

Stephanie Posner and Miriam Shaul are taking part in Jailbreak, an event organised by the RAG student group.

The challenge is to travel as far as they can without spending any of their own money in the hope people will sponsor them the further they get.

The pair hope to get to Australia in time for the country's national day celebration on Sunday.

Ms Posner said: “We have 36 hours, no money and one goal, to get as far from Cambridge as we can.

“The further we get the more money we will raise.

“Past teams have ended up in LA, Hong Kong, Dubai, Buneos Aries, Sydney and had an outrageous amount of fun on their way.

“We want to do the same thing and raise £1 million for charity."

The money raised will go to 10 charities, made up of local and national causes.

Follow them on Twitter: @million4charity