I have now completed the Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride in France. 300 riders cycled 350 miles to raise money to support our servicemen and women who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The charity has a specific objective of raising money to build a swimming pool at Headley Court, the tri-service rehabilitation centre near Leatherhead. The pool will help our service people to do the exercises that are so vital in regaining their strength.

The Big Battlefield Bike Ride was an experience I will never forget.   We cycled between 58 and 77 miles each day for 5 consecutive days. Fortunately, both my bike and key parts of my anatomy stood up to the strain. Every day I was in awe of the riders from Headley Court, many of whom were riding with prosthetic limbs, and making considerably better time than me! Each day we had a wreath laying ceremony at key sites, consistent with the theme of the Ride: Remember the fallen, care for the living. The armed forces treated us very well. The RAF Red Arrows gave us a fly past as we assembled at HMS Victory, the Royal Marines band treated us to musical send off, the Army organised the wreath laying ceremonies, and the Royal Navy brought us safely home from Dunkirk in HMS Bulwark. Finally, as we landed in Dover, the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils parachuted into the sea in front of us.

The Ride is over but the important work of Headley Court goes on. Please donate through this page to the vital they work they do for our servicemen and women.
Please, keep it coming!

Thank you, sincerely, for whatever help you can give.

Eldon

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Help for Heroes will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.