Gleeds helps wounded veterans with marathon bike ride

David Lane, executive surveyor for International Management and Construction Consultancy, Gleeds, kicked off a mammoth bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats this weekend in a bid to raise money for the ‘Not Forgotten Association’. The little known organisation has been improving the lives of serving and ex-service personnel since 1919 and David is hoping to raise a total of £10,000 to help them continue their good work.

Gleeds has demonstrated their support for David and his fundraising partner, serviceman Martin Bull, in their attempt to conquer the 1000 mile journey with a £500 donation towards organisational costs and invaluable assistance throughout the planning stages. In addition, David and Martin have secured over £1500 from several other sponsors including; Eve St. Clair, Morgan Ashurst, Pope Priestly Architects Ltd, K.E Consultants, Wight Embroidery Limited and the Portsmouth Cycle Exchange.

The ride kicked off this weekend from Land’s End and will take the pair an estimated 12 days to complete. “This is undoubtedly going to be the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives” said David Lane, “A number of people have told us that we’re mad but we’re determined to complete the challenge and raise a lot of money along the way for this very worthy cause” he went on to add. Martin Bull, “Bully”, also added “Having spent the last 18 months undergoing rehabilitation after I was severely injured in a helicopter crash whilst serving with the RAF in Iraq, I am only too aware of the fantastic work the ‘Not Forgotten Association’ does. The support my family and I received from the NFA was invaluable and I know that, with additional funding and awareness, they could help so many more brave servicemen and women and their families in the way they helped us”.

With nearly £2000 in the pot, thanks in part to the generous donations of David’s colleagues at Gleeds, there’s still some way to go to reach the £10,000 target but the pair are confident that people will dig deep to support the NFA. For more information about the ride, to read the daily blogs or to make a donation, go to: www.lejog2010.org