My name is Matt Spruce and I am a British soldier currently stationed at a Field Hospital Unit in Manchester.

Myself, along with a group of fellow soldiers (both Regular and TA) will be attempting to cycle from Edinburgh to Manchester......not such a long distance I hear you say, but there is a twist!  We will not be cycling a direct route!

It is our intention to visit every UK Mainland Territorial Army Field Hospital on our route, stopping at Newcastle, York, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and then our final destination - 207 Field Hospital in Manchester.

The total distance is estimated at approximately 900 miles.  We are aiming to cover around 95 miles a day for 9 days.  View the Google Map of our planned journey here: http://g.co/maps/7cqzm

We will be raising money for three charities - the Army Benevolent Fund  - “the Soldiers Charity”, who will take what is raised online, and also local charities - Broughton House and Life For A Life Memorial Forest who will benefit from donations and the proceeds of the charity auction.

For more details on these amazing charities, please see the links below:

  Army Benevolent Fund:  www.soldierscharity.org

  Broughton House: www.broughtonhouse.com

  Life for a Life Memorial Forest:    www.lifeforalife.org.uk

I am sure you will agree that all of these organisations provide fantastic care and support to our military personnel and their families. It is only by receiving donations that the charities are able to survive and continue the good work they do.

The Event will take place in April 2012, so we have allowed ourselves time for training and hopefully, with your help, enough  time for us to reach our target of £10,000. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - We raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. 

All donations to these worthwhile causes will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

"Eagles Ride is a challenging endurance event which will not only be demanding physically and mentally, but will also develop leadership skills, foster teamwork, raises the profile of the Army Medical Services and provides 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital (Volunteers) with the opportunity to support ABF - The Soldiers Charity. The core team under Staff Sergeant Spruce's leadership is undertaking the whole event from start to finish - others like myself are contributing by completing some of the legs. Please show your support by contributing to ABF!"

Col Kerry Trow (Commanding Officer)

 

Please spread the word on Facebook and dig deep!

Thank you

 

The Eagles

Lt Julie-Anne Peart

SSgt Matt Spruce

SSgt Jamie Hartley

Sgt Steve Whittingham

Sgt Dave Bowers

Sgt Scott Jibson

Cpl Linda Street

Cpl Karen McKinnie

Pte Phillip Pullin

Pte Melissa Bates