A group of 34 cyclists from The Great Dunmow Round Table, and supporters from 33 Engineer Regiment have raised an incredible £56,000 for Blesma by cycling 165 miles from Great Dunmow, Essex to Ypres to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate in honour of those who lost their lives in WW1.

Chairman Mike Dalton said, “We set out to raise a target of £40,000, but the fact that we actually raised £56,000 is outstanding. The effort that everybody put in and the generosity of the people who donated to our team was just incredible”

Mike added "Laying the wreath at the Menin Gate will be a moment that will stay with us for the rest of our lives”

Receiving the cheque on behalf of Blesma was Chief Executive Barry Le Grys, and Blesma Members Jeremy Scarratt and Jonathan Bell, who will be taking part in their own cycle challenge on Monday 6 April 2015. 

Barry said “This sum raised by the Great Dunmow Round Table for Blesma is the largest from a single fundraising activity. This is an amazing and thoughtful achievement by an outstanding Table, and Blesma is forever grateful”

Jonathan Bell, who served with the 1st Bn The Green Howards until he was seriously injured along with fifteen soldiers in a military training accident in 1993, said, “I suffered a life changing injury and was left paralysed from the upper chest whilst in service in the army when I was just 29. With Blesma’s support I was able to take part in rehabilitation activities, go back to University, and have an exciting career. Blesma played a huge part in rebuilding my life, and the support shown by the Great Dunmow Round Table Team will enable Blesma to continue supporting other injured servicemen and women” 

Jonathan & Jez will be part of a team of Blesma Members who will be taking on the Coast2Coast challenge starting at Morecambe in the West and finishing at Filey in the East. The challenge will see them cover around 140 miles in three days starting on 06 April, Easter Monday. Of the group, two will be completing the route on hand-bikes.