Wounded veterans complete a 250-mile bike tour with Royal support
17 October 2013
30 injured military veterans cycled across the south east of England last week – complete with a Royal send-off, mayoral presence and ministerial backing.
SR UK was a six day long cycling tour organised by London based military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans. It brought injured veterans, both from Britain and the USA, together to cycle over 250 miles, tackling between 30 - 50 miles a day.
Setting off from Windsor Castle on Sunday 6 October, the riders, many on adapted cycles and hand bikes, rode past some iconic locations including the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, Battle Abbey, Arundel Castle and Top Gear’s Dunsfold Airstrip before finishing at Horse Guards Parade on the afternoon of Friday 11 October.
At Windsor Castle, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York met and spoke to the riders, many of whom have overcome life-changing injuries. The Princess then waved the veterans off as they embarked on the first leg of their bike tour from the Castle at the crack of dawn.
Escorted by Mounted Cavalry from the Honourable Artillery Company, they set off from the Castle down the ‘Long Walk’ disappearing into the autumn mist of Windsor Great Park.
Later on Sunday, cycling through the grounds of Sandhurst, they were received by the Mayor of Farnham – Brigadier Patrick Blagden CBE, a retired Royal Engineer who has chosen Blesma as his Mayoral charity for the year. The veterans were joined by the local public on bikes as they cycled around the grounds of the Academy.
Known for her support to the injured military veterans, Francie - manager and wife of BBC’s Jeremy Clarkson also jumped on her saddle for the last day. She accompanied the riders as they cycled around the test track at Dunsfold used by Top Gear.
On a rainy afternoon on Friday 11 October, the riders were congratulated by the Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces at Horse Guards Parade. He welcomed the American riders to British soil and spoke of his utmost regard for their outstanding achievement alongside their British comrades.
The day before the 30 cyclists embarked on the epic bike ride, they were treated to a dinner reception at the American Embassy hosted by the US Defence Attaché Brigadier General Quintas on Saturday 5 October. He showed his respect for the wounded warriors by getting his bike out and joining the tour on four days out of six.
Retd Lt Col Jerome Church Chief Executive of Blesma said: “SR UK got off to a really cracking start on a beautiful morning at Windsor Castle. All the riders were delighted that HRH Princess Beatrice was able to meet them and wave them off at the start of their great adventure around some of the most historic parts of southern England. This was a true shoulder to shoulder special relationship event. It was about allies who have suffered much together and overcome much together.”
Formerly known as Soldier Ride, Blesma has run SR UK in partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project in the US for three years now.
The bike ride was fully risk assessed and had medical cover. It was supported by motorbike marshals and adapted coaches to drive cyclists between locations. The accommodation was 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 and to register your interest for 2014, please visit www.blesma.org/SR_2013
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Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
Princess Beatrice with the riders at Windsor Castle
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Mayor of Farnham with the riders at RMA Sandhurst
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Francie Clarkson cycling with the riders in Dunsfold /media/75854/Francie-and-riders.jpg
Mark Francois MP with the riders at Horse Guards Parade /media/75855/Mark-Francois-and-riders.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.
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