Swindon & Wiltshire News
Estate agent completes marathon bike ride for wounded soldiers
A Marlborough estate agent has completed a gruelling 430-mile bike ride from Paris to London, via the battlefields of Northern France, in aid of wounded soldiers.
Former tank regiment captain Edward Hall, who manages the Marlborough branch of Smiths Gore, joined four former comrades – the self-styled Five fat Cavalry Officers – on the marathon cycle ride from the Arc de Triumph in Paris to London’s Cenotaph.
En route, the cyclists were joined by wounded war veterans and visited battlefields and military cemeteries from two world wars and, in the case of Agincourt, the Middle Ages.
Setting off on Friday, May 24, the team reached London on Sunday, June 2.
Edward, who was run over by a tank during his military service, breaking both his legs, his pelvis and his hands, said: “The French weather was lousy with the cold, rain and headwinds attacking us.
“The sun only really shone on our return into London and the amazing reception we had at Horse Guards.
“We were all humbled by the wounded who rode with us and were an absolute inspiration. We ached at the top of some testing hills and that was with the use of all four limbs.
“Many of the wounded were riding missing one, two or even three limbs and some had suffered severe burns. These guys were amazing and great company.”
The bike ride has so far raised more than £26,000 for Help for Heroes. To make a donation, log on to www.bmycharity.com/fivefatcavalryofficers
