Bromyard soldier cycles for military charities (From Hereford Times)

Bromyard soldier cycles for military charities

8:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A BROMYARD soldier is to cycle 1,000 miles in seven days with a rugby ball to raise funds for military charities.

Lance Corporal Ashley Gibbons, aged 22, is one of 12 soldiers taking part in the challenge to aid the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes.

The trip has the backing of the English and Welsh Rugby Football Unions and the group will stop at the grounds of all 16 English and Welsh teams contesting this year’s Anglo-Welsh rugby union cup.

The challenge, called Exercise Rhino Poppy, will finish with the soldiers handing over the ball that will be used in the cup final at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester.

“I have friends who have been injured in the line of duty while on tour in Afghanistan and the treatment they have received, both on the scene and during their rehabilitation and recovery, was second-tonone,”

said L/Cpl Gibbons, a former student of the Queen Elizabeth High School.

“This could only be achieved with the support of charities such as Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

“This event is to raise money for these causes to enable them to continue in the good work they are doing."

Members of the public can make donations as the weeklong trip stops at 14 locations in England and Wales, with Worcester being the closest one to Herefordshire.

It starts in Newcastle on Sunday and further information can be found at s i t e s . g o o g l e . c o m / s i t e / rhinopoppy/home.