Charity cycling fundraiser launches in Edinburgh

Tour de Troops The Castles takes place 05 to 08 June 2019. The gruelling 570-mile (900km) cycle challenge will take in three of the UK’s most significant castles as cyclists pedal from Edinburgh to Cardiff via Windsor.

The ride is in aid of the Felix Fund, which works to help bomb disposal and search personnel and their families. CEO Melanie Moughton said: “Events such as these make such a difference to us, not only in terms of the funds raised, but in making people more aware of what we do.”

Captain James Wadsworth, founder of this and other challenges, said: “Felix Fund is such a vital, worthwhile cause, and it’s a cause close to my heart because I have first-hand knowledge of what they do.”

The Tour de Troops follows the 2018 challenge, which saw cyclists travel from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just five days.

It aims to bring out qualities of endurance, teamwork and physical and mental courage in participants. These will include members of both the military and civilian communities.

This year, a special reception party will greet riders as they cross the finishing line, and they will be able to enjoy performances from the Welsh Male Voice Choir, plus a three-course dinner.

For the second year running defence and cyber security company, L3 TRL Technology is the lead sponsor of the gruelling fund-raising charity challenge. Anchor Vans, the UK’s largest commercial vehicle hypermarket, is also supporting the challenge for the second year; this time joined by Simon Joyce, managing director of Anchor Vans, who will be cycling too.

Capt. James Wadsworth, who joined the army in 1995, worked in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and has served in dangerous postings in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in 2008. His extensive charity fundraising through various endurance challenges has so far raised around £75,000.