Round Table’s tour de force raises £53,000
The BMX 3 Series which careered through a family home in North Street. - Credit: Archant
More than £50,000 was raised by Great Dunmow Round Table members following a mammoth cycle ride to Belgium.
Sgt Wayne Ansbro, Sgt Brendon Reynolds, Sgt Dan Seaton, Sgt Carl McCarthy, SSgt Andrew (Brew) Gibson, SSgt Lori Morrison. All of Royal Engineers 33 Regiment (EOD) based at Carver Barracks, Wimbish - Credit: Archant
More than £50,000 was raised by Great Dunmow Round Table members following a mammoth cycle ride to Belgium.
The group, along with soldiers from Carver Barracks, set out to raise £40,000 for the British Limbless Ex-Serviceman’s Association (BLESMA) by cycling 165 miles to Ypres.
They embarked on their challenge from Great Dunmow safe in the knowledge that they had hit their target but are now astounded to know their efforts have secured £53,000 for the charity, which supports men and women who have lost a limb while serving for their country.
Chairman Mike Dalton, who picked the charity event, is delighted.
He said: “Setting off knowing we had hit our £40,000 target was fantastic. The fact we have now raised £53,000 is outstanding.
“The effort everybody put in and the generosity of the people who donated was just incredible.”
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The men had spent months training for the gruelling fundraiser and worked hard to complete their mission. A defining moment of their trip was when they arrived in Ypres and were able to take part in The Last Post Ceremony by laying a wreath.
“Laying the wreath at the Menin Gate will be a moment that will stay with us for the rest of our lives,” Mr Dalton added. “It was a challenging ride. The first day we covered 96 miles which was a very long day.
“Even though the second day was a shorter ride, we still had to dig fairly deep because it was the first time we cycled 60 miles after riding 96 the day before, but knowing what we were doing it for kept us going.
“It was not easy but I think everybody took something away from it, there were so many personal achievements.”
Along with the money raised, the Round Table has also secured an extra £18,000 which will be spent on training the soldiers to become teachers.
Mr Dalton told the Broadcast: “I am really proud of that. This is something that will definitely make a difference to their lives.”
