Forces charity invites final interests for injured military personnel cycle ride across the South Downs
2 September 2013
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is inviting final interests from Members to jump on their saddles and cycle across the picturesque South Downs and past some of the most iconic locations of military interest in South East England.
SR UK will see over 30 wounded UK and US service personnel undertake a six day long bike tour cycling between 30 – 50 miles a day, from Sunday 6 October - Friday 11 October.
Formerly known as Soldier Ride, Blesma has run the event in partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project in the US for three years now.
The riders, including many amputees and some on adapted bicycles or hand bikes, will set off from Windsor Castle covering about 250 miles over six days around the idyllic South East of England, culminating in a ‘Victory Lap’ from Horse Guards Parade to the Tower of London.
Besides Windsor Castle, Horse Guards Parade and Tower of London, participants will ride past some significant locations in English history including Battle Abbey, the site of the historical 1066 Battle of Hastings and Arundel Castle which was damaged in the English Civil War but has now been fully restored.
They will also pass Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre and BBC’s Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome.
David Coulton, Activities Manager at Blesma says: “The invite goes out to all cycling enthusiasts among the Blesma Membership. With an exciting route and some fantastic locations, this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better than the last. There is not very long to go, but if you are a keen cyclist and would like to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to ride with other wounded military men and women, both from the UK and across the Atlantic, this is your last chance!”
The bike ride is fully risk assessed and will have medical cover. It will be supported by motorbike marshals and have adapted coaches to drive cyclists between locations. The accommodation is fully equipped for the needs of the participants.
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.
For more information on SR UK, please visit www.blesma.org/what-we-do/member-activities/sr-uk/
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Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below
SR UK logo /media/66190/SRUK-logo.jpg
Blesma logo /media/8076/blesma-master-logo.jpg
About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.
Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.