Clocking up the D-Day miles in Gosport

A plucky team of charity cyclists from Gosport are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings by cycling 75 miles. Jodie, Riah and Sam from the town’s FirstLight Trust veterans’ hub will be taking turns to ride 75 miles to raise as much money as possible for those who served.

“We pride ourselves on staging fun events and thinking up original ways to raise funds,” explains hub coordinator Riah. “We’ve held vintage afternoon teas, card-making sessions with schoolchildren and veterans and even jam-making. Such an iconic event as D-Day needed something special, which is why we’re doing this bike ride.”

The ride starts from the FirstLight Trust Gosport hub at 68 High Street at 9.45am on 26 May 2019. The women will ride to Stokes Bay and back as many times as is necessary to clock up 75 miles between them. Halfords in Gosport generously provided a free safety check for all the bikes involved to make sure they’re in tip-top condition. Meanwhile local firm Love Emma Design have donated high-visibility clothing to the team for free.

“We are so proud of our Gosport team,” says Dorinda Wolfe Murray, the founder of FirstLight Trust. “They always approach everything with such energy so we have every hope they’ll conquer this challenge too. Every penny raised will go towards helping former members of the armed forces and emergency services with issues such as mental health, debt, loneliness and more. Cycling 75 miles is literally going the extra mile to help our charity and we couldn’t be more grateful!”

Members of the public are encouraged to come along on Sunday 26 May to cheer the team on. There is also a static exercise bike in hub on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 May from 9am to 10am for anyone who would like to keep fit for a good cause, kindly lent by Anytime Fitness Gosport. Donations can be made at the hub on Gosport High Street or online at:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/firstlighttrustbikeride

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Notes to Editors

Gosport’s FirstLight Trust hub is open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm at 68 High Street, Gosport PO12 1DR. It contains Sharpe’s coffee bar serving hot drinks and home-made cakes.