Raised: 125%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £2,491.35
Donate now

My story

 
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to unforeseen circumstances we are bringing the 'Ride to Arnhem' forward by two weeks. This means we will now be setting off on Wednesday 1st July, arriving at Arnhem Bridge on Saturday 4th July.

In an effort to keep my bulging waistline to a minimum, I had the bright idea of purchasing a cycle with the intention of cycling to 5-a-side football once a week. A total journey of 4 miles (but felt like well over 40!).

I had what seemed an even brighter idea a few weeks later!

After watching the film 'A Bridge Too Far' (again), our local Anglia news then proceeded to inform the viewers of yet another member of the Parachute Regiment that had been killed in Afghanistan. It was then I realised that these young men fighting in Afghanistan are the very same caliber of men who fought so bravely at Arnhem in 1944. With my only contribution (and I am sure many peoples) to our Armed Forces being just a pound a year on a Poppy, I decided this year I would do more. So with a new bike, Colchester Barracks being just up the road and a ferry to Holland on my doorstep, what better way to pay my respects to the airborne veterans and also raise much needed funds for our serving troops than to...

Cycle 150 Miles from Colchester to Arnhem, Holland.

I have been joined on this trip by my friend Mike Jones, who last year completed the 50 mile Glasgow to Edinburgh charity cycle ride.

We will be leaving the Merville Barracks at Colchester, home of the Parachute Regiment, on the afternoon of Wednesday 15th July, cycling the 18 miles to Harwich and sailing overnight to Holland. We will then complete the remaining 132 miles over the next 3 days arriving at Arnhem Bridge on Saturday 18th, fingers crossed.

So, if you are like me and only buy a Poppy every November, please take this opportunity to sponsor Mike and myself and help raise vital and much needed funds for the Airborne Forces.

 Who the Airborne Forces Charity gives to

  • Serving members of the Parachute Regiment and their families
  • Members of the Parachute Regimental Association
  • Qualified parachutists serving in armed forces units with an airborne role
  • Retired members of the Airborne Forces
  • Youth organisations that would benefit from the ‘Airborne Spirit’ ethos

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Airborne Forces Charities gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!

I would like to thank Stena Line who have kindly arranged for us to travel from Harwich to Holland to help make this ride possible.

Welldone. Grant and Serena Donation by Serena Pharez 27/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 13/07/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Debra Clarke 09/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well Done. Donation by Danny Clark 07/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Greetings from Arnhem! Donation by Marco Derksen 06/07/09  

£25.00

well done dad your the best cyclist in the world love ryan xxx Donation by Ryan P 06/07/09  

£7.05

All the best Simon and have a brilliant time. Donation by Katrina Musson 06/07/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Well at least its flat :) all the best Carl sfy Donation by Carl Jackson 03/07/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Best wishes Simon, hope all goes to plan and I wish you well Donation by Stephen Henderson 01/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck to both of you Donation by Mum and Dad 01/07/09  

£77.00 + £21.72 Gift Aid

All the best Simon - hope all goes well Donation by Darren Barrenger 30/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

As a former professional footballer I always knew that backside of yours would come in handy one day and this is it! Good luck Donation by Mike Noye 30/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

A lot of people behind you? Very dangerous if you are into padded pants and vaseline!! Good luck Donation by Eoin Buchanan (Vicar) 30/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

To a good friend for a very good cause. Good luck to you both. Donation by Bob Green 29/06/09  

£20.00

Mike,when you said you were going to do a bike ride I had no idea of the enormity of it!!!! Good Luck to you both-Candy and Chris your neighbours. Donation by CANDY 28/06/09  

Good Luck!! Hope all goes well. From Sean, Harwich Tool Hire Donation by Sean Mills 24/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck from Kevin and all the team at Litho Supplies Donation by Litho Supplies - Norwich 19/06/09  

£100.00

It will be a fantastic achievement for such a good cause - good luck to you both Donation by All at Centurion Die Cutting Co. 18/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hope it all goes well Donation by Stuart Skippings 11/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck matey Donation by Jen & Carl 11/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck & remember to take the seat out of your bottom when you reach Arnhem! Donation by Deb & Mart 10/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Two Great Blokes One Great Cause Good Luck Donation by The Harl Family 09/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Dad was in the Paras and now has Alzheimers and wears his beret everytime he goes out. Proud of him and proud of you for taking this on! Donation by Lisa Mead 29/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Jorgen Rasmussen 27/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

In memory of my Father who fought at Arnhem Donation by mary mcanulty 26/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A very worthy cause which we are glad to support. Good luck! Donation by Colin & Chris, Electric Palace, Harwich 26/05/09  

£25.00

Hope you have a soft bike seat!!! Good Luck Donation by Lisa Waby 26/05/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

I understand a teddy bear, strategically placed, can be of great comfort when the going gets tough! Donation by buckets and spades 23/05/09  

£10.00

You are on a Unicycle ? Donation by Mark Howard 22/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck to you both! Donation by Nick & Maria 22/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £1,779.05
  Offline donations: £712.30
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £446.21

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.