My Story

Hello, I am taking on the D-Day Ride in 2024 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. I'm hoping to raise £1,950 to support our Armed Forces community.

This time twenty years ago I was in Al-Amarah in Iraq with the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment on Operation Telic. I was very lucky, I emerged from that tour unscathed. Some of my friends and colleagues did not and the support of organisations like SSAFA can make a real difference to them and their families.

I support SSAFA because they support members of all three services and recognise the impact of impact of service life on families in their name and actions.

I'm taking part in the 240 mile, 3 day D-Day 80 ride to raise money for SSAFA and mark the anniversary of D-Day, a tumultuous event that provides me with a great deal of inspiration, not just the commitment and sacrifice of those storming the beaches, also the collaborative planning and two and half years of preparation and industry that preceded it:

    'Here we are on the eve of a great battle to deliver you to the various plans made by different force commanders. I would emphasis but one thing: that I consider it to be the duty of  anyone who sees a flaw in the plan, not to hesitate to say so. I have no sympathy with anyone, whatever his station, who will not brook criticism. We are here to get the best possible results and you must make a really cooperative effort.'

Eisenhower's speech to the final planning conference attended by the King and Winston Churchill on 15 May 24 at St Paul's School on the bank of the river Thames.

Thank you for your support. It means a great deal to me.