On the 13th May, two disabled veterans from the British Army, set off from Edinburgh Castle heading to Exeter. All in aid of Help for Heroes and Veterans With Dogs. Both veterans have been helped by these two charities during their ongoing recovery pathway.
However, this is no ordinary challenge. Both veterans will be doing the challenge on recumbent bikes. Laura will be using an ICE Trike which uses foot power, and Patrick on his Top End Force 3 hand bike. That’s right, 518 miles by arm power, because doing it by leg power isn’t hard enough. They will be using these bikes as their disabilities restrict them from using a normal bicycle.
Patrick Medhurst-Feeney and Laura Ellis were both Medically Discharged from the Army after they picked injuries and illness while in service. Both suffer with physical and mental health conditions, that hugely effect their daily lives.
After receiving help from both charities, they had the idea of giving something back to two charities that have helped them so much. Safe to say they went for a big challenge.
Training is in full swing, with Laura working hard in Bathgate, Scotland, and Patrick’s tackling Dartmoor from his home in Plymouth. Building up the miles so that they’re ready to tackle the challenge that sits in front of them. Continuously reminding themselves that it’s all for charity.
However, this challenge brings something else to the pair. It’s giving them an aim and a sense of achievement. Since leaving the Army, both have struggled with finding those things, so having this challenge is a big boost for the pair of them.
Planning and funding the entire thing themselves, they’ve had to rely a lot on the generosity of the public to help them, and they’ve received some fantastic help so far.
With 4 months to go, things are nearly all set for the pair. With a target of £6000 to raise, they’re now starting to concentrate on the fundraising side of the challenge.
So, they’ll be completing the challenge in 10 days, stopping in Moffat, Penrith, Lancaster, Widnes, having a well-earned rest day, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Thronbury, Shrewsbury and finally Exeter.
You can see their progress by visiting their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/triketour17/ and if you would like to donate they have an online donation page at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/thetriketour17