Chichester man signs up for bike ride to support charity

A man from Chichester has opted to sign up to a lengthy cycle ride in a bid to raise as much money as possible for Help for Heroes.

Will Pearson will pedal his way from Salisbury to London on the Help for Heroes Dawn Raid bike ride, which is scheduled to take place in early June, reports the Bognor Regis Observer.

He explained the charity provides an excellent service to those who have suffered injury or trauma during their stint in the armed forces and he wants to help it achieve its objectives.

Mr Pearson noted a high number of people suffer life-changing wounds that will have an impact not only on them, but their families too.

"I just want to help support these brave people. It was probably the Paralympics that helped to inspire me to join this ride," the charity fundraiser explained.

"That event helped to demonstrate just how much the wounded service people have suffered in the course of serving our country."

The Dawn Raid bike ride covers 100 miles and is said to have a gentle pace, meaning even those who are not expert cyclists can take part and do their bit for the good cause.

Once the 250 or so riders from Salisbury reach Blackheath in London, they will meet up with around 1,000 others who have completed the same distance from other places in the country to reach the capital.

Mr Pearson is now in intensive training ahead of the 100-mile challenge, which eventually finishes with a small ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London.

"There will be many wounded men and women taking part in these challenges, again demonstrating just how courageous they are," he added.

All of the money raised will go towards looking after servicemen and women at the charity's recovery centres, the latest of which opened in Plymouth this month.