Three injured servicemen are to take part in a gruelling three-day cycle race in the The team will be captained by TV adventurer and Guinness World Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont as they tackle the Trois Etapes – three of the most challenging stages in the Tour de France. The team will cycle more than 100km a day, with up-hill climbs of more than 2,800m.
‘It’s quite daunting when you look at the distances and climbs, but this Walking With The Wounded team is highly motivated,’ said team member Don Maclean who was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) while in Afghanistan. ‘We will definitely push ourselves through the pain barrier.’
Representatives of companies who support the charity will also be taking part in the race. The Walking With The Wounded team will be competing against seven other cycling teams – collectively they hope to raise more than £1million for charity.
‘The wounded guys in this team are still overcoming their injuries in lots of ways, so it’s incredible that they are facing up to such an immense physical and mental challenge,’ said the charity’s co-founder Ed Parker. ‘It just goes to show what can be achieved given the right support – we’re hugely proud of them and can’t wait to see them in the Alps on their bikes.’
Walking With The Wounded raises money to retrain and re-skill wounded service personal so they are equipped to find long-term work in the civilian world. For more information about the charity, visit their website www.wwtw.org.uk
