A team of Birmingham businessmen and ex servicemen raised over £18,000 for military charities after completing a 300-mile cycling challenge from Birmingham to London in support of Help for Heroes, The Fisher House Project and Battle Back.
The team – comprising 15 ex Royal Engineers (‘Sappers’) and members of the Birmingham business community – are long-running supporters of the charity Help for Heroes, having previously raised £300,000 for the charity.
The main focus of this ride was to raise money for the new development at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham – The Fisher House Project, which is the first military rehabilitation facility of its kind in the UK.
The team held additional fund-raising events on arrival at each of their destinations en route to London, beginning at The Fold in Worcester where locals purchased tickets for a delectable Curry Night. Attendees were able to enjoy real Indian food and musical entertainment, and a surprise appearance from Isabella Seaton-Smith (daughter of Team Sapper member Simon) who sold her homemade cakes to raise a further £150.
On Saturday June 1st the team were treated to accommodation in the officers’ mess and dinner in the sergeants’ mess before heading on to Blackheath on Sunday morning alongside hundreds of Help for Heroes riders returning from France.
1,300 cyclists in formation, then rode on to London wearing the three colours of the British military. Upon arrival at the Cenotaph, riders laid a wreath at a remembrance service before completing the remaining distance to Horse Guards Parade, where a poignant presentation and speeches were made.
Further highlights for the team during their journey included meeting General Sir Peter Wall, Chief of General Staff and a Sapper himself. The team were also lucky enough to meet professional road racing cyclist, Mark Cavendish towards the end of the Ride.
Team Sapper raised an amazing £18,000 for The Fisher House Project. Simon Seaton-Smith of Couch Perry Wilkes described the challenge as a “Truly outstanding and successful mission.”