Wounded veterans cycling event coming to Hampshire
SR UK 2016
The annual cycling event SR UK will be coming to Hampshire in September, with a group of wounded, injured and sick veterans from the UK and the United States coming together to take on a week of cycling.
The group will visit a number of attractions across Hampshire and Dorset including Winchester Cathedral, Bovington Tank Museum, the Watercress Steam Train Line and the Museum of Army Flying before finishing in London.
Starting on Sunday 25 September, the riders will be set off by Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire, Andrew Kent Esq DL, who will be meeting them at the start line.
Hampshire people are tremendously proud to be hosting many of the week's activities, and to welcome US veterans as well as those from the UK. The Invictus Games in May, and now the Rio Paralympics, show just how much can be achieved despite physical challenges. This event is another demonstration of that success, and I am very privileged to be part of it.
Andrew Kent Esq DL - Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire
Each day following, the riders will take on a different part of the countryside, taking in the fantastic scenery and places of interest, riding on average between 25 and 30 miles per day. Some of the riders will be completing the week on hand-bikes.
SR UK is in its fourth year and has proved to be an extremely popular event amongst the British and American cohorts. Both groups appreciate the chance to meet and bond with comrades who have been through similar events and who share the same military sense of humour.
Once again we are extremely pleased to host SR UK bringing together wounded veterans from both sides of the Atlantic for a hard six day cycle ride. The challenge, comradeship and sense of achievement will be of much worth individually and collectively in managing wounds for the longer term. Hampshire is home to a great many serving and veteran members of the Armed Forces and we are grateful to the Deputy Lieutenant, Andrew Kent, for launching the Ride.
Barry Le Grys - Blesma Chief Executive
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.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
Riders at the Royal Hospital Chelsea (London), SR UK 2015 https://blesma.org/media/438715/royal-hospital-finish.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 around 3,500 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.
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For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Officer
T: 020 8590 1124