Twenty
bomb disposal experts from the British Army are preparing to cover 1,500 miles
by bike to raise funds for Felix
Fund
– the charity for those affected by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
Switching blast suits for Lycra, the cyclists will begin their ride from
Edinburgh to Bielefeld in Germany on June 12th and average about 100
miles per day. In just 15 days, they will visit every security-cleared EOD regiment
in the first-ever Tour de Troops.
Key funding has been provided for the event by Kirintec,
who specialise in the design and production of security technology solutions. Major
opportunities are still available, however, to sponsor each stage and to be
featured on the team’s cycling clothing and equipment.
The tour’s route traverses through England before crossing into to northern
France. Along the way, the cyclists will pass through the towns and cities
close to their military bases, with some special guests likely to feature along
the way.
After 15 days on the road, meeting the Bielefeld Troop will mark the end of an exhausting journey. No stranger to that feeling of reaching the body’s physical limits, however, is one of Felix Fund’s greatest heroes and Tour de Troops rider, Captain James Wadsworth.
Capt. Wadsworth, who was awarded the
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) for bravery in Iraq, has raised thousands of
pounds for the charity. Most recently he completed the unforgiving Marathon des
Sables (over 156 miles across the Saharan Desert) to raise £1,206 for the
cause.
Capt. Wadsworth, known as ‘Waddie’, said: “The Tour de Troops is going to hurt.
It’s going to hurt a lot. But in my experience, I know pain can be beaten and
that together we can achieve something incredible. This event is to raise money
and further awareness of Felix Fund’s amazing work both across the UK and
beyond.”
Felix Fund’s money supports people like Clive Smith, who will also be riding in
the event. Clive lost both of his legs in an explosion during a tour of
Afghanistan. A grant made by the Felix Fund in 2016 meant Clive could travel to
Australia for pioneering surgery, which enabled him to walk with prosthetics.
The
charity’s activities also focus on providing mental health support. Having
played a significant part in the care of over 100 EOD teams returning from the
Afghanistan conflict, the charity now offers Dashboard Courses on mindfulness: building awareness of the warning
signs linked to mental health problems and sharing coping techniques.
Melanie Moughton, Chief Executive Officer at Felix Fund, said: “We can’t overstate
the strength of this cycling team and the significance of this tour to our
charity. They’re all people of exceptional ability and courage who, I hope,
will receive the full support of the public as they pass through towns and
cities along the way.”
Every member of the Tour de Troops team
belongs to the 11 EOD Regiment RLC (Royal Logistic Corps). They’re hoping for a
lot of support on their journey and would love for people to donate generously
by visiting their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tourdestroops.
The Tour de Troops breaks down into 11 key
stages:
·
Departing at
7am on 12/06/2017 – Craigiehall, West Lothian, Edinburgh, EH30 9TN.
·
Overnighting
at Alnwick Reserve Centre.
·
Arriving at
approximately 3.30pm on 13/06/2017 – Army Reserve Centre, Duke of
Northumberland Barracks, Lisburn Terrace, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1LA
Day 2–Alnwick to Catterick
·
Departing at
7am on 13/06/2017 - Army Reserve Centre, Duke of Northumberland Barracks, Lisburn
Terrace, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1LA
·
Arriving at
approximately 4.10pm - Piave Lines, Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire,
DL9 3LP
Day 3 – Catterick to Chester:
·
Departing at
7am on 14/06/2017 – Piave Lines, Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire,
DL9 3LP.
·
Arriving at
approximately 4.40pm on 14/06/2017 – The Dale Barracks, Liverpool Road,
Chester, CH2 4BD.
Day 4 – ChestertoNottingham:
·
Departing at
7am on 15/06/2017 – The Dale Barracks, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 4BD.
·
Arriving at
approximately 1.45pm on 15/06/2017 – Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell, Nottingham,
NG9 5HA.
Day 5 – Nottinghamto Ashchurch
·
Departing at
7am on 16/06/2017 – Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 5HA.
·
Arriving at
approximately 1.45pm on 16/06/2017 – St Barbara's Barracks, Ashchurch, Gloucestershire,
GL20 8LZ.
Day 6 – Ashchurch to Tidworth (via Didcot)
·
Departing at
8.00am on 17/06/2017 – St Barbara's Barracks, Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, GL20
8LZ.
·
Arriving in
Didcot at approximately 12.30pm on 17/06/2017 – Vauxhall Barracks, Didcot,
Oxfordshire, OX11 7ES. Departing again at 13.30pm.
·
Arriving in
Tidworth at approximately 3.30pm on 17/06/2017 – Brimstone Compound, Assaye Barracks,
Tidworth, Wiltshire SP9 7AB.
Day 7 – Tidworth to Aldershot
·
Departing at
7am on 18/06/2017 – Brimstone Compound, Assaye Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire
SP9 7AB.
·
Arriving at
approximately 10.45am on 18/06/2017 – Provost Barracks, Maida Road, Aldershot,
Hampshire, GU11 2DN.
Day 8 – Aldershot to Colchester (via
Northolt)
·
Departing at
7am on 19/06/2017 – Provost Barracks, Maida Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11
2DN.
·
Arriving in
Northolt at approximately 9.30am on 19/06/2017 – Northolt, West End Road,
Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6NG. Departing again at 11am.
·
Arriving in
Colchester at approximately 4.40pm on 19/06/2017 – Merville Barracks, Colchester, Essex CO2 7UT.
Day 9 – Colchester to Shorncliffe
·
Departing at
7am on 20/06/2017 – Merville Barracks, Colchester, Essex CO2 7UT.
·
Arriving at
approximately 3pm on 20/06/2017 – Napier Barracks, Shorncliffe Camp, Folkestone
CT20 3EZ.
Day 10-15 – Shorncliffe to Bielefeld
·
Departing at
7am on 22/06/2017 – Napier Barracks, Shorncliffe Camp, Folkestone CT20 3EZ.
·
Arriving on
25/06/2017 – Rochdale Barracks, BFPO 39, Germany.
Felix Fund serves Dog Handlers, Searchers, Drivers, Infantry Escorts,
Electronic Counter Measures Operators, Ammunition Technical Officers, Weapons
Intelligence Specialists, Royal Air Force Bomb Disposal, Royal Naval Clearance
Divers, the Royal Engineers and SO15 (Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism).
The charity meets its charitable objectives by:
·
providing financial assistance and welfare
support during times of need
·
providing financial assistance and welfare to
the families of those who have lost their lives, been injured or fallen on hard
times
·
promoting wellbeing in the EOD community
·
commemorating and sustaining the memories and
sacrifices made by EOD personnel who have lost their lives in course of their
duty.
Website: https://www.felixfund.org.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/felixfund/
Twitter https://twitter.com/FelixFund
ends
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