A SERVING RAF signalman is to spend his spare time throughout March cycling to raise cash in memory of every member of the armed forces who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

Corporal Adam Tatman, 31, aims to raise £1,000 for Help for Heroes through sponsorship to cycle 632 miles on a gym bike – one mile for each of his military colleagues killed.

He will tackle his personal challenge while deployed during his ninth operational tour in the Middle East, and hopes to complete 22 miles a day in between his RAF commitments.

Cpl Tatman, who is with 90 Signals Unit based at RAF Leeming, has served in the air force for more than 10 years but chose to support Help for Heroes rather than an RAF charity because of his family connections with all three services.

He said: “My father and mother were both in the Army, so my two brothers and I grew up on military bases.

“One of my brothers, Matthew, is in the Army and the other, Robert, is in the Royal Marines.

“I think the work that Help for Heroes does to support our wounded soldiers is second to none and I know that the charity will be there for any of my family should we ever be unfortunate enough to need its support.”

Cpl Tatman is already on target for his £1,000, and proceeds from a quiz night arranged by personnel from his detachment, together with generous pledges from family, friends and colleagues, have taken him more than half way to his goal before he has so much as put his foot on the pedal.

Not only is he committed to the physical exertion of cycling so many miles, he has also promised to add to the fund himself – 20p for every soldier who gave their life for their country during the two conflicts – should he hit his £1,000 target.

To ensure Cpl Tatman is out of pocket by £126.40, as well as out of breath, you can place a pledge on his sponsorship page at www.Justgiving.com/cycle-for-the-fallen.

Help for Heroes is also encouraging people to get into the saddle themselves and raise money by taking part in this year’s Hero Ride - cycling alongside wounded and injured servicemen, women and veterans as they make their way from Catterick Garrison to Windsor in June. More details can be found at www.heroride.org.uk.

If you are a wounded, injured or sick veteran interested in benefitting from the support offered by Help for Heroes at Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison, contact the support hub on 01748-834148.