Ex-Soldiers Launch Epic Charity Ride Across Europe

FOUR local former UK Armed Forces Personnel will cycle from Guernsey to Gibraltar this July to help raise money for wounded British troops.

The Guernsey-based members of the Channel Island branch of Help for Heroes will pedal over 2,100km, from the highest point in Guernsey to Gibraltar, before parking their bikes and running to the top of the rock of Gibraltar.

Group co-ordinator, former soldier and team rider Ben Remfrey said: ‘This is by far the most ambitious fundraising project the Channel Island’s branch of Help for Heroes [H4H] has attempted to date, both physically and in terms of the sheer scale of the trip. But we’re confident that we can raise the sort of sums needed to make a significant difference to the lives of many seriously injured servicemen and women.’

Mr Remfrey will be joined on what is being billed as the ‘Rock 2 Rock’ by former Servicemen and fellow cyclists Neal Teers, Anthony Gray and Nick Affleck, who plan to cycle over 170km each day together for 13 consecutive days. They will be shadowed by a support team, led by fellow ex-Serviceman Calum Le Noury, in a back-up vehicle.

Former Royal Marine Neal Teers has assisted in the detailed planning of the route. ‘We’re all in our 40’s and it’s a long way to Gibraltar, however you plan it, but that’s nothing compared to the journey that multiple amputees have to make to rebuild their lives. That’s why we’re all keen to be involved and to gain as much support as we possibly can. It is all about raising much needed funds,’ he said.

The Rock 2 Rock route is divided into 13 legs and each open to sponsorship to help the men raise as much money as possible.

The first leg is being sponsored by Mercator Trust Company Limited and will start from Guernsey’s highest point, in St Andrews, on Friday 9 July. The riders will cycle the equivalent distance of the ferry crossing to St Malo, some 65 miles, before sailing to France and continuing through Brittany to Pamplona in Spain and then through central Spain to Gibraltar.

David Preston, Mercator’s Managing Director said: “When invited to sponsor this marathon cycle, we found it very hard to refuse.  Aftercare of these brave servicemen is often considered an after thought and we hope that our local involvement can help to raise awareness of this incredibly worthy charity.  I hope that these lads are able to find the additional support they need on the other sections of the 13 day challenge.”

Help for Heroes has also secured sponsorship of the final leg of the trip, as the Legal Director for the Close Brothers Group UK Offshore businesses, Rupert Hague-Holmes, explained: "Close is delighted to support the last leg of the Rock 2 Rock into Gibraltar. The challenges faced by wounded service personnel can be mountainous and the support they receive from Help for Heroes is invaluable. I know the fact that they are raising funds for such a good cause will provide the physical and mental motivation for the team’s own challenge.

‘l’m looking forward to meeting the guys at the finish, to extract every last ounce of energy from them on the final Rock Run in Gibraltar!’

The Lt-Governor of Guernsey and Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Fabian Malbon and Sir Adrian Johns are both Admirals and proud patrons of the Help for Heroes “Rock 2 Rock” cycle challenge.

The Rock 2 Rock cycle challenge will run from 9 to 24 July 2010.

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities contact Ben Remfrey, Tel. 07781-104263 ben.remfrey@hfhcounty.org.uk