Pub landlord Ian Mitchell and three of the pub’s regulars are in training to take on a gruelling challenge by cycling from London to Paris in just four days. Ian, Alan Bates, Dave Callaghan and Damian Kinsella will be amongst around 300 cyclists to cover the route between the two capital cities. The “Pedal to Paris” ride which begins at London’s Greenwich Park on Thursday 2nd September and ends at the Arc de Triomphe on Monday 6th September, is in aid of The Royal British Legion. The Legion’s flagship charity bike ride, now in it’s 15th year, takes the cyclists through almost 300 miles of the most beautiful and varied landscapes of Kent and Northern France. From Calais, riders travel through the Pas de Calais region to the charming town of Abbeville; then on through the picturesque and historic landscapes of the Somme and Oise regions of Picardy right to the heart of Paris. The piece de resistance is the ride up to the Arc de Triomphe where a poignant ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier marks the end of the ride. These four intrepid amateur pedallers, having a combined age well in excess of 200 years, are already training for this arduous event – by pedalling, eating and drinking with great enthusiasm…..many thousands of pounds have been raised in several previous rides for the Legion from London to Paris and to Brussels by this year’s group, and by other cyclists from the Queens Head. Ian, Alan, Dave and Damian are hoping to raise at least £3,000 towards the Legion’s welfare work. Nearly 10.5 million serving and ex-service people and their dependants are eligible for the Legion’s support which covers a wide range of services including grants to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care. Russell Thompson, Director of National Events and Fundraising at the Legion said “We are very grateful to Ian, Alan, Dave and Damian for taking on the Pedal to Paris challenge. It really is an incredible experience and we wish them all the best for the ride. Apart from the training that goes into preparing for the event, the fundraising that they are undertaking on behalf of The Royal British Legion will make a real difference to the lives of those that we support. We spend £75.5m each year on our vital welfare work and (first names) efforts will help us considerably in continuing to provide the social, emotional and financial care that is so central to our work.” If you wish to sponsor (names) please visit: www.bmycharity.com/damo666 or www.bmycharity.com/IanbaggyshortsMitchell |