Soldiers to tackle 2,000km bike ride for Help for Heroes

A 2,000km bike ride is to be taken on by a group of British soldiers who have previously suffered life-changing injuries while serving their country, with the aim of raising as much money as possible for Help for Heroes.

Indeed, the Cycle 2000 challenge group is looking to generate in excess of £250,000 for a pursuit that will see them take in all 20 Barclays Premier League football stadiums. This means they must pedal from Newcastle in the north-east to Southampton on the south coast, and everywhere in between.

They will also take in military sites such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court as part of their journey.

Paul Findlay, 28, previously served in the Royal Signals and now works for Barclays, after taking a placement following an injury while in the military.

He said: "After my injury I spent a long time in a Recovery Centre. I thought my employment options were severely limited, and I never thought I would be working for a bank. I'm leading this challenge to raise funds for Help for Heroes and ABF The Soldiers' Charity because I've seen the difference programmes like this can make for our wounded troops."

Barclays operates a programme known as AFTER, which has been running since 2011 and is used to employ people who have been wounded in service. Its aim is to take on 50 injured military personnel by the end of 2013.

Staff from branches of Barclays around the UK have agreed to support the bike ride and they will be holding a number of special events designed to raise money for the cause.

Movistar Team professional cyclist and British Time Trial champion Alex Dowsett is another who will join the ride and he explained he is extremely proud to be supporting the challenge. He added that he is keen to raise as much money as possible and increase awareness of the help wounded servicemen need.