A RETIRED man has completed the journey of a lifetime racing 3,000 miles across Europe to support an armed forces charity.

Odiham resident Paul Spencer got behind the wheel of his black Aston Martin along with friend Stephen Beard for the Rally for Heroes race.

The duo raised funds for SSAFA – a charity providing lifelong support to those in the forces and their families.

The 66-year-old smashed his fundraising target for the race by being sponsored £5,890. In total the race raised a best ever £121,000 for the charity.

Mr Spencer said: “It was a thrilling drive and fantastic to be involved in.

“This is my second time completing the rally, but there were so many highlights going round such as driving through the Swiss Alps – it doesn’t get better than that.

“I managed to raise the second highest figure of all the racers so am really pleased with the overall figure.

“There was so much fun had by everyone and to complete it again was great.”

The rally saw more 50 riders take to their motors and drive up to 3,000 miles around Europe – a figure which accounts five miles for every one of the 1,885 fallen men and women in the Afghanistan conflict.

It began earlier this month at the Royal Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth before the rally travelled to Brussels and Turin.

The riders also enjoyed visiting Monaco, the Pyrenees and Le Mans. 

Each time Rally for Heroes takes place, they nominate a military charity to support and this year money raised will go to SSAFA.- who aim to support members of the armed forces, veterans and their families now and for the rest of their lives.

Jim Morrison, SSAFA’s head of regional fundraising south, said: “Paul has been a committed fundraiser throughout the last four years, attending countless events, raising funds and bringing his calm and reassuring manner to any challenging situation.

“On behalf of everyone at SSAFA, thank you Paul.”

“SSAFA supports some 60,000 serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families each year - this is anyone who is serving, or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, and their family.

“Without people fundraising for us, we wouldn’t be able to do it.”

To sign up for next year’s rally visit ssafa.org.uk/fundraise/challenge-events/drive/rally-heroes.