HRH Princess Beatrice of York to wave off injured veterans as they set off on a cycling tour from Windsor Castle
4 October 2013
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York will show her support to 30 injured military veterans as they embark on a 250-mile bike tour over six days from Windsor Castle on Sunday 6 October.
SR UK is a cycling tour organised by London based military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans and will see the cyclists, both from Britain and the US, tackle between 30 – 50 miles a day.
The riders, many on adapted cycles and hand bikes, will take in some iconic locations including Battle Abbey, Arundel Castle, Sandhurst, and the North and South Downs for good measure, ending up with what promises to be a “victory charge” from Horse Guards Parade to the Tower of London on Friday afternoon 11th October.
Presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s wife and manager Francie will join the riders on the last day as they ride past BBC’s Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome and on to the Tower of London.
On the final day, the participants will cycle from Horse Guards Parade, where the British Army’s Household Cavalry carry out their ceremonial duties for The Queen at Buckingham Palace, to the iconic Tower of London.
Before they set off on their way, the cyclists will also attend a dinner hosted by the US Defence Attaché Brigadier General Quintas at the American Embassy on Saturday 5 October.
Jerome Church Chief Executive of Blesma says: “We are very privileged to be able to start our great ride from Windsor Castle and particularly grateful that HRH Princess Beatrice will be there to wish the riders well. It will mean the world, both to our Members and our American allies, as they set out shoulder to shoulder on their grand tour across the south of England.“
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 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/SR_2013
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Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below
Windsor Castle /media/72490/Windsor_Castle_2_CREDIT_windsorgovuk.jpg
SR UK logo /media/66190/SRUK-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.
About SR UK
SR UK (Sunday 6 October – Friday 11 October) will see 30 wounded military personnel from the US and the UK come together to cycle across the South Downs. Due to their injuries, many of the riders will be on adapted cycles and hand bikes. The riders will set off from Windsor Castle and take in some iconic locations including Battle Abbey, Arundel Castle and culminate the ride in a ‘victory lap’ from Horse Guards Parade to the Tower of London.