Epic cycle ride raises money for charity (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Callum Blair joined a 40-strong team

9:07am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

A BASINGSTOKE man has just completed a 510-mile cycle around Britain with injured servicemen to raise money for a forces charity.

Callum Blair joined a 40-strong team, including three wounded servicemen who have all been supported by charity Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help since sustaining their injuries.

The charity provides practical help and assistance for servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

Callum, pictured, from Rooksdown, pledged to raise more than £1,000 for SSAFA by doing the cycle ride.

The 37-year-old Fujitsu employee works in the company’s Government department on Ministry of Defence accounts.

He decided to take part in Ride for Britain because his brother-in-law was, until recently, a major in the Royal Engineers, and so he understands the challenges faced by those in the armed forces, and their families.

The five-day cycle began on September 12 and involved participants riding from Edinburgh to London.

The cyclists were waved off by family and friends as well as members of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Callum said: “It’s been a fantastic event. It’s been a privilege to get to know members of the armed forces during the cycle ride and to get to see so many different locations in the UK.”

Joining Callum was 22-year-old Craig Paterson, from Inverurie, who suffered a brain injury when he was shot in the head last July while serving in Afghanistan.

He said: “During my treatment and recovery period, my family stayed at one of the SSAFA Forces Help Norton Homes, which meant they could be with me during every step of my rehabilitation, which was invaluable.

“Without SSAFA, this wouldn’t have been possible so I am doing this ride to say thank-you and to help them continue their amazing work.”

The route covered challenging countryside including the rugged fells of Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales.

On the final day, the cyclists pedalled their way through London before finishing at Wellington Barracks.