In May 2026, I will undertake a 16-day, 1,800-kilometre cycling journey through the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, tracing the wartime path of my great-uncle, Flying Officer Thomas “Tim” Hayward Parrott, an RAF pilot killed in 1940 at just 23 years old. This journey is both a personal project of discovery and a partnership with Fighting With Pride, the UK charity supporting LGBTQ+ veterans.

Fighting With Pride played a central role in securing the Government’s £75 million Financial Recognition Scheme for LGBT veterans dismissed or harmed under the historic ban. They also led the creation of the first national memorial to LGBTQ+ service personnel at the National Memorial Arboretum, and the RAF Museum has commissioned a new artwork by artist David Tovey dedicated to the experiences of LGBTQ+ veterans. This ride aims to raise funds and, critically, awareness, as many eligible veterans still do not know they can now apply for compensation and support.

This project has three main aims. First, personal discovery: to trace Tim’s movements, visit the places that shaped his service, and understand the geography, context and decisions that defined his final months. Second, awareness and visibility: to support Fighting With Pride in reaching LGBTQ+ veterans who may not yet know about the £75 million compensation scheme or who need help reconnecting with services, community or advocacy after years of exclusion. And third, fundraising and community engagement: to raise funds for the charity and bring people together—both through the journey itself and the final Brighton-to-London ride—to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ veterans and highlight the ongoing work needed to ensure they receive full recognition and support.