Blazing Saddles at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Having recently completed deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, three brave Royal Marines swapped their uniforms for cycling gear to raise money for Help For Heroes, at the Historic Dockyard. Their current fundraising adventures will see thirteen members of the Royal Marines Divisional Command, based at Whale Island, cycling the length of John O’Groats to Land’s End, starting on 1st June 2009.
Almost £1000 was raised at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard over two days, on Thursday 14th and Thursday 21st May.
Money poured in as much as the rain on the first day, and thanks to the generosity of visitors they filled five of the Help For Heroes ''cans'' as well as most of a bucket. With an iPod Nano up for grabs, the Trixter xDream cycle (pictured) gave children and adults alike the chance to compete over a virtual cross-country course. With the prize nearly going to a German student, the UK fought back to win and a staff member of the Historic Dockyard claimed her prize!
The fundraising continued on Thursday 21st May with more cycling and tin rattling, and to the Royal Marines relief - this time in the sunshine! With a constant flow of tourists they were once again touched by the public''s generous spirit with some school children even offering up their lunch money, though no-one could be tempted to try out the Trixter XDream.
The Royal Marines End to End Cycle Challenge 2009 will be approximately 1,000 miles in 10 days and against the south westerly prevailing winds, stopping at Sellyoak Hospital and other RM/RMR units on the way. The aim is to raise £30,000 for Help For Heroes in order to help fallen brethren in these troublesome times. To see the progress of the brave cyclists then please visit their blog at www.rmcycle.co.uk
Help for Heroes has raised £15m since it was set up and money is allocated to projects such as the rehabilitation pool at Headley Court.
The Help For Heroes aren’t the only ones with blazing saddles as Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s very own Managing Director, Robert Bruce, is also fundraising with his family. They too will be cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 10 days, to raise money for the Alexandra Unit of the Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary, where his father, Dick Bruce, died last year after a tough and difficult fight with cancer.
Robert’s brother Joe and son Rob hatched the plan for the cycle over a year ago and discussed it with Robert’s dad before he died – he thought they were mad, which is why it is now going ahead!
They departed on Sunday 24th May and will arrive at Land’s End on 2nd June, with Robert being on-hand in the support vehicle. The expedition will visit the Unit en-route and will finish at Land’s End on the anniversary of Dick Bruce’s death in a fitting tribute.
For further information about their expedition, those taking part, and to track them along the way please visit: www.tonsleyracing.co.uk
Photo captions: Help For Heroes L-R Lt Cdr Dan Thomas RN, Maj Mike Scanlon RM, Capt Rob Thorpe RM. Photo courtesy of Sean Hounsell
Robert Bruce and family
