Tri-Service

Ride For Heroes Aims To Raise £10,000 for SSAFA

An army of motorcyclists will be hitting the road this September for Armed Forces charity SSAFA in the inaugural Ride For Heroes event to the Belgian city of Kortrijk.

Motorcycle enthusiasts, ex-Forces and supporters of the UK’s oldest military charity SSAFA will depart Cardiff on Friday 11th September, and they will be joined by former military man Neil Jones.

Discussing the motorcycle ride, Neil said: “We’re riding to Belgium to visit the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing; a memorial to the missing British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in Ypres. We plan to pay our respects to those soldiers who have fallen and it reinforces why we’re raising money for SSAFA, who provide support to servicemen and women and their families, past and present.”

Ride for Heroes will aim to raise £10,000, with the participants returning to the UK on Monday 14th September after a four-day motorcycle journey across Europe. Each rider is expected to raise a minimum of £250, with all proceeds going to SSAFA.

Jim Morrison, SSAFA’s Head of Regional Fundraising South, said: “We are delighted that Neil and his team have taken on this challenge for SSAFA. The money they raise will help continue the vital work we do with current serving personnel, veterans and the families of both.

“The visit to the Memorial of the Missing is a fitting tribute and reflects the commitment that SSAFA makes to all those who have served their country, to ensure they are given the care and respect they deserve.”

Mr Jones, who served tours of Afghanistan, Iraq, western Africa and Northern Ireland, lost everything within two years of leaving the Army in 2006. Eight years passed and it wasn't until last year, with the support of SSAFA, that he got himself back on the right track.

Mr Jones, from Bridgend, set up Rags Textiles in 2014, a venture that will support SSAFA and hopes to provide working opportunities for former military personnel. The venture is in the process of setting up a UK network of textile banks that will collect and sell clothing, with £150 from each tonne of clothing recycled going to SSAFA to help servicemen and women and their families.

“The business was set up to ensure those who leave the military get the support they need. I know from my own experience how difficult the transition can be, so if we’re able to make a difference by donating profits to SSAFA and offering job opportunities to those transitioning into civvy street, then I can sleep well at night.”