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Lynne Hardy writes...
Between June 5th and June 8th 2014 my son Luke is taking part in the Northern Flyer Hero Ride from Manchester to London, on behalf of Help For Heroes.
Luke completed three to tours of duty in Afghanistan with 3 Para, so understands firt hand the effects of loss and the devastating injuries suffered by many.
Along, I imagine, with many other families I thank God every day for his safe return.
But what about those who returned to the United Kingdom with
terrible injuries - missing limbs or lost eyesight;mental issues including frightening flashbacks and difficulties settling back in to life here in Britain?
Help for Heroes is trying to raise a massive 1.5 million for our wounded service men, women and veterans and this ride is part of the fund-raising effort.
Please sponsor Luke in the Northern Flyer ride by going to the
bmycharity link below.
I would like to ask you to please spare whatever you can afford in aid of this wonderful charity as a small thank you to those who have sacrificed so much and need our support so that they can carry on leading the lives they deserve.
Thank you,
Lynne
Find out more about the Northern Flyer ride at:
HELP FOR HEROES - THE NORTHERN FLYER
To sponsor Luke, please go to:
BMYCHARITY LINK
UPDATE 6th JUNE 2014:
HELP FOR HEROES - THE NORTHERN FLYER
To sponsor Luke, please go to:
BMYCHARITY LINK
UPDATE 6th JUNE 2014:
DAY 1 - JUNE 5th 2014
At 9.30 on the morning of June 5th thirty-five riders set off from the
Velodrome in Manchester on the first day of their journey from Manchester to
London.
There were three separate groups of riders, each group including four
injured ex-servicemen. The other riders in the party were civilians who had,
between them, raised thousands of pounds for Help For Heroes.
The riders were in for a very hard and tough day, as they left the City and
headed into the hills of Derbyshire en route to their first stop in Derby.
Their route took them to a height of 1580 metres above sea-level and they
covered a total of 82 route miles from Manchester to Derby.
Derby was reached at 7pm, after a tough and gruelling first day on the
road. All the riders were exhausted but in good spirits and enjoyed a hearty
meal before retiring to rest in preparation for day two.
UPDATE 7th JUNE 2014:
Day 2 - June 6th 2014
UPDATE 7th JUNE 2014:
Day 2 - June 6th 2014
The party left Derby at 8am on Day 2, the 6th June, and headed south into
Staffordshire, heading for the next destination of Northampton.
The terrain was a little gentler on the riders than the steep hills of
Derbyshire on day one(although there were some very long and drawn out climbs).
Right from the start the day was very hot and it they all found it very
hard work to keep going in the warm sunshine.
Only a matter of eight miles or so from Derby the riders stopped off at the
National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas to take part in the Commemoration of the
70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. A wreath was laid at the memorial on
behalf of the riders,and they were able to remember the fallen as well as taking
the opportunity of talking to some of the WWII veterans who were in attendance.
The riders resumed their ride towards Northampton amid stunning scenery and
enjoyed a very pleasant ride with some very pretty villages and hamlets along
the route.
 |
| One of the memorials at the National memorial Arboretum |
Northampton was reached at 6pm and, altogether, the party had clocked up a
total of 85 miles on day two.
Accomodation was provided at the Hilton Hotel where several riders took
advantage of the services of a physiotherapist before enjoying a meal and drinks
and retiring to bed.
The third and fourth days (Saturday and Sunday) take the riders a further 68 miles to
their final destination in London.
LINK: THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
UPDATE: 10th JUNE 2014:
DAY 3: JUNE 7th 2014
There was another early, 8am, start for the riders on day three and they left the Hilton Hotel in Northampton in the direction of Newport Pagnell, a matter of 50 miles away where they were to meet up with another contingent of thirty riders coming down from Edinburgh .
This part of the ride, on another hot but beautiful day, took them through more lovely
villages and the Salcey Forest.
After crossing from Northamptonshire into Hertfordshire the riders were able to see the skyline of London on the horizon as they followed the River Lea through Wheathampstead, St Albans and Colney Heath before reaching Enfield in North London at 6pm.
Although this section of the ride was relatively flat compared to earlier sections, the hot day made the going hard, but everyone was in good spirits and pulled together, enjoying the scenery and forging new friendships along the way.
After an evening meal and drinks in Enfield an awards ceremony took place in which Luke Hardy was presented with the Harry Long Award.
The Award is named after Harry Long, a member of the Ghurkas who was seriously injured in Afghanistan.
The award was given to Luke in recognition of his hard work in putting across Help The Heroes' message to everyone, and showing that it is possible to overcome hardship, pain and injury and win the day through sheer determination and effort.
There were many very well-off people taking part in the ride who had been motivated to help Help The Heroes through the efforts of Luke and many other people like him.
After another tiring but rewarding day, everyone retired to bed.
DAY 4 - JUNE 8th 2014
On Sunday morning everyone set off from Enfield to complete the final thirty miles to Blackheath and then on to their final destination at The Mall in Central London.
At Blackheath Common they met up with yet more groups who had been riding from various points all over the country to come together for the final ten miles into the heart of the Capital.
For the final ten miles through Central London, down Horse Guards Parade and into The Mall, the riders were joined by top cyclist Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta.
Mark is a patron of Help For Heroes and was introduced to the charity by Peta, who has also cycled many miles and raised thousands of pounds for the charity
Everyone stopped at The Cenotaph in Horse Guards Parade for a memorial ceremony and then headed for their final goal in the Mall after a gruelling but exciting four days of riding in a very worthy cause.
LINK: DAILY MAIL - MARK CAVENDISH JOINS HELP FOR HEROES RIDE
LINK: THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
UPDATE: 10th JUNE 2014:
DAY 3: JUNE 7th 2014
There was another early, 8am, start for the riders on day three and they left the Hilton Hotel in Northampton in the direction of Newport Pagnell, a matter of 50 miles away where they were to meet up with another contingent of thirty riders coming down from Edinburgh .
This part of the ride, on another hot but beautiful day, took them through more lovely
villages and the Salcey Forest.
After crossing from Northamptonshire into Hertfordshire the riders were able to see the skyline of London on the horizon as they followed the River Lea through Wheathampstead, St Albans and Colney Heath before reaching Enfield in North London at 6pm.
Although this section of the ride was relatively flat compared to earlier sections, the hot day made the going hard, but everyone was in good spirits and pulled together, enjoying the scenery and forging new friendships along the way.
After an evening meal and drinks in Enfield an awards ceremony took place in which Luke Hardy was presented with the Harry Long Award.
The Award is named after Harry Long, a member of the Ghurkas who was seriously injured in Afghanistan.
The award was given to Luke in recognition of his hard work in putting across Help The Heroes' message to everyone, and showing that it is possible to overcome hardship, pain and injury and win the day through sheer determination and effort.
There were many very well-off people taking part in the ride who had been motivated to help Help The Heroes through the efforts of Luke and many other people like him.
After another tiring but rewarding day, everyone retired to bed.
DAY 4 - JUNE 8th 2014
On Sunday morning everyone set off from Enfield to complete the final thirty miles to Blackheath and then on to their final destination at The Mall in Central London.
At Blackheath Common they met up with yet more groups who had been riding from various points all over the country to come together for the final ten miles into the heart of the Capital.
For the final ten miles through Central London, down Horse Guards Parade and into The Mall, the riders were joined by top cyclist Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta.
Mark is a patron of Help For Heroes and was introduced to the charity by Peta, who has also cycled many miles and raised thousands of pounds for the charity
 |
| Mark and Peta Cavendish. Photo: Press Association/Daily Mail |
 |
| Hero Ride June 2014 Luke Hardy is towards the right of the group wearing a yellow jersey. Many thanks to VICKY BROWN for allowing us to use this photo. |
LINK: DAILY MAIL - MARK CAVENDISH JOINS HELP FOR HEROES RIDE
LYNNE and LUKE THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND REMIND YOU THAT YOU CAN STILL HELP RAISE MONEY FOR HELP FOR HEROES BY VISITING THE LINK ABOVE. LUKE'S PAGE IS STILL OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP MONEY, EVEN THOUGH THE CHALLENGE IS NOW COMPLETED. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE SPONSORED LUKE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THIS VERY WORTHWHILE CAUSE.
Thank You!
First published 1st June 2014
Updated 6th June 2014
7th June 2014
10th June 2014
7th June 2014
10th June 2014
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