FRIENDS will be jumping in the saddle for the Dambusters Ride to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund supporting veterans and their families.
The Dambusters Ride pays tribute to the Dambusters, members of the RAF’s 617 Squadron who bombed three dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley in May 1943 – also known as Operation Chastise.
It was a risky raid, dropping the revolutionary bouncing bomb at low level, and the cost was high. Of 133 aircrew who left, 53 were killed and three became prisoners of war.
Simon Storey from Warwick was inspired to sign up for the ride as his grandfather worked in the RAF as ground crew during the Second World War.
Joining him on his fund-raiser will be friends Struan Marshall, Craig Pattison, Chris Taylor, Bob Barba and Harry Bromage.
Simon and his friends take on cycling challenges every couple of years, and have raised over £35,000 for various charities over the last ten years.
These challenges include cycling from coast to coast at the thinnest, widest and longest points of Great Britain, cycling between five countries and five capital cities in five days, and a 185 mile cycle trip from the top and bottom of Wales in a day.
Simon said: “The work the RAF Benevolent Fund does is fantastic and we feel inspired to help raise money so that the charity can continue helping out amazing RAF personnel, veterans and their families.”
The Dambusters Ride consists of two elements – a Virtual Ride this weekend (May 7 and 8) and a Heritage Ride taking place in Lincolnshire the following Saturday.
Lisa Hunt, regional fund-raiser at the RAF Benevolent Fund, added: “The Dambusters Ride was an enormous success in 2021, raising nearly £200,000 for the Fund. We want this year’s event to be even bigger, so we’re calling on our supporters and any eager cyclists to join the 2022 challenge.”
Visit rafbf.org/ride for more information.
Visit https://rafbf.enthuse.com/pf/simon-storey to donate.
