Charity Tour de France
25 May 2010
Manager of St George’s Business Park Leigh Kedwell is now pedalling his way through a tough 377 mile charity marathon in the north of France, with the goal of reaching Dunkirk by the end of the month. Leigh is raising funds for Help for Heroes, the leading charity helping wounded servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
He joined hundreds of fellow charity riders at Portsmouth on Monday (24 May) to begin the challenge. From a starting point alongside Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory the riders rode to the docks through crowds of cheering supporters to take an overnight ferry to France.
Early the next morning they regrouped at Fécamp near Le Havre for the first stage to Dieppe. Leigh, riding a specially prepared Canondale Quick CX hybrid bike, is aiming to stay well up the field.
The riders are now following a route though Amiens and Arras to Ypres. Finally they will cross the finish line in Dunkirk on 31 May in time to join in celebrations to mark the anniversary of the World War 2 evacuation.
Former gunner Leigh is being backed by individual and corporate sponsors. If you would like to make a last minute donation contact bike@fsmail.net or speak to a Centre Manager or member of staff.
Leigh has been training and fund raising for several months and hopes to be able to present a big cheque to Help for Heroes. Help for Heroes aims to provide long-term solutions to the problems faced by those with long-term injuries. The charity supplements and enhances available facilities so that those in rehabilitation get the very best care and treatment. Servicemen and women need long term support to recover from their injuries and to rebuild their careers.
An update on Leigh’s progress and his charity fund raising will follow soon on www.capitalspace.co.uk.