SOLDIERS are taking part in a challenge to cycle 800 miles with an aim of raising £100,000 for a mental health charity.
Catterick Garrison-based Warrant Officer class two Danny Hirst, 36, is embarking on the bike ride from Belfort in France to Oxford to raise cash for Combat Stress, the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans.
WO Hirst is one of four soldiers who have joined forces to form a team calling themselves Run 2 Recovery, and they started pedalling from Belfort on Wednesday, July 27 and will be finishing Friday, August 5.
WO Hirst said:: “One of my friends took his life whilst battling with PTSD on his own. Now we’re doing what we can to make sure that no one has to suffer like that.
“This challenge also commemorates the Battle of the Somme. The route will go to Cambari, Mons and Ypres, crossing the English Channel at Dunkirk, into London before finishing in Oxford. We hope to raise £100,000 for the centenary of the Somme.” Visit: http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/oufcyouthandcommunitysportstrust/r2rcycle or text RRCT22 £amount to 70070.
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