Marathon ride in aid of Heroes

8:01pm Friday 4th July 2008

A MARATHON 1,200-mile cycle ride from Norton Manor Camp to Germany is set to raise around £5,000 for troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Friends John Hines and Paul Browne, from Taunton, and Mike Bennett, of Yeovil, are pedalling between the Royal Marines base and a Royal Artillery barracks in Osnabruck at the end of this month.

Paul is cycling both ways, while John is biking out and Mike is doing the return leg.

They have so far raised more than £600 towards their £5,000 target for Help for Heroes.

John said: "Our chosen charity is dear to our hearts as we have a close friend and brother who has served with the 4th Regiment of The Royal Artillery in Helmund province, in Afghanistan.

"Help for Heroes supports the men and women of our Armed Forces who are wounded while serving in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"They are non-political and don't wish to comment on the rights and wrongs of a particular conflict.

"We simply want to do something to help those very special people who are brave enough to volunteer to serve their country and are wounded while doing so."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the three riders should click on the link below.