Tri-Service

200-Mile 'Victory Ride' Hoping To Raise Funds For Military Charity

Cyclists are being encouraged to pick up their helmets and take part in a 200-mile ride this weekend to raise money for a military charity.

The new event has been named the 'Victory Ride' in commemoration of this year's 70th anniversary of the VE Day celebrations, and is aiming to raise funds for the charity SSAFA, which works to support almost 100,000 present and past members of the Armed Forces and their families each year.

The Ride sets off from Portsmouth on Saturday and follows a figure-of-eight route through the southern coastal towns of England, covering 100 miles per day, before finishing at HMS Victory in Portsmouth harbour.

Also set to be involved are Openreach, a division of BT, which is providing a team of eight cyclists to take part in the Ride, who are hoping to raise over £14,000 through sponsorship.

Andrew Pollard, one of the BT cycling team taking part, said: “I’m a keen cyclist and have always been on the lookout for a physical challenge since I left the Army, so this event is perfect for me.

"I served for seven years in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in Germany before I joined BT, so I know first-hand that the help and support SSAFA provides is invaluable. Before the second Gulf War, there was very little help for Forces families. SSAFA has been in existence since before the First World War and stood the test of time.”

Support vehicles will be out on the route along with rest stops approximately every 20-25 miles.

For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk.