Why would a priest, two soldiers and a Forestry Commission worker want to ride 400 miles from Edinburgh to Cleobury Mortimer together? Stupidity would be a good answer, but for two good causes would be a better one!

Last year I had an idea that I would like to complete a difficult cycle ride for charity. However, as no man is an island, I wanted to invite some friends along who might also like the sound of this challenge. So I asked the two Craigs (still serving army buddies) and Max, a valued volunteer within my parish’s youth project. And since I am an ex-4th Rifles/2nd Royal Green Jackets Soldier and now a parish Priest (in Cleobury Mortimer) I thought it would be perfect to raise money for two good causes, both close to my heart.

The two good causes are:

Rifles Care for Casualties: the Care for Casualties appeal gives the severely wounded, their families and also the families of riflemen who have been killed on service the support, inspiration and aftercare to rebuild their lives and make the most of their futures. Since the Rifles was formed in 2007, it has been on almost continuous active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the largest regiment in the British Army and, therefore, not surprisingly it currently has more injured servicemen than any other British Army unit – so far, 59 have been killed in action and more than 300 have been severely wounded. If you’d like to know more, have a look at www.careforcasualties.org.uk. Care for Casualties may not be as well known as Help for Heroes but it does great and much needed work.

St Mary's Youth Project (SMYP): Cleobury Mortimer is the second smallest town in Shropshire. This project, which is almost entirely funded by voluntary donations and a small number of grants, provides a wide range of activities for all 11 – 18 year olds within the catchment area of Lacon Childe secondary school – approximately 200 square kilometres. This is a very rural, isolated area with minimal transport links and with very little for young people to do outside school. It provides two age related youth clubs each week as well as sports and fun activities that are designed to develop the whole person. Members of the project work with the local community and also fund raise to support the Project’s ethos of complete inclusivity and ensure that no young person is prevented from joining in. SMYP aims to engender and promote the development of good citizenship, provide support within the community to those in need of such support and enable the development of leadership qualities. It is a much respected local Project and well worthy of support. The website is under development at present but will launch soon – www.smyp.org.uk.

The four of us leave Edinburgh on 2 July 2012 and 400 miles later will arrive in Cleobury Mortimer on 7 July. If you can, please do donate. And again, if you can, gift aiding your donation means that every £ donated is worth more, without any cost to you.

So please dig deep and donate now.