A team of Afghanistan veterans – most of whom were injured in a bomb explosion last summer – are to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise cash for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association (BLESMA)
Captain Wayne Owers, a bomb disposal expert, worked in Helmand last summer clearing IEDS. But forensic evidence manager Cpl Jonny Wallace stood on a bomb which ripped his leg open from ankle to hip.
LCpl Davie Timmins, his bodyguard, lost his right eye and hearing in his right ear along with other serious lacerations over his body.
Electronics experts LCpl James Marsh, and equipment maintenance man Cpl Richard McKinnon, also suffered minor injuries in the blast.
All four received treatment at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and are still having follow-up treatment nine months on.
Despite their injuries the team, plus Casualty Visiting Officer Capt Pete Graham, are reuniting in June for the LEJOG ride with the aim of raising £10,000.
Capt Owers told the Leamington Observer:: “In order that we can focus the minds of my team while they undergo various operations and bouts of rehabilitation, we have decided to do a charity cycle ride.
“The challenge is clearly made all the more difficult for some of these lads who have fairly restrictive injuries.”
Lcpl Timmins said: “Our daily routine of being tasked to dispose of these deadly devices carried a great risk of losing limbs or life. The experiences we have been through together would sound far fetched or be dismissed as, elaborations by most people. It is sharing those experiences that have brought us so close... Mates for life!
“Knowing our team would be together for "one last task" (cycling from Lands End to John O Groats), would be brilliant for all of us. Even more so, knowing that any money raised would help other injured soldiers would be outstanding.”
So far, the team has raised around £3,500. To find out more about them and to donate, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Felix-End2End
I'm game, 100 miles, 100 pies has a ring to it...
£4.
And? Your neck don't work?
No, that's very doubtful while proper testing would be fully destructive.
In that £1000 exactly scenario, beginners should probably be made aware that pedals will be extra.
What's wrong with dropping down on to the Millenium Bridge, or the swing bridge, then the brief, but satisfying climb back up the hill? #training....
The relatives might of course disagree, but in general I'd countenance a relatively light sentence* if only we could fix it so that those who...
Id forgotten that I got a second hand set of project two's for my getting to work bike over twenty years back.
My bet is that all these tires popping off are from people with bad pressure gauges or they're simply just putting too much air in on purpose. ...
David9694 - you were right! These new autonomous vehicles really are conspiring to run out of control!...