The Prime Minister pledged his support for the new Help for Heroes' cycling initiative during a visit the Phoenix Centre which is the charity's state of the art sports facility located at the Tedworth House Recovery Centre in Wiltshire.

The 2013 Hero Ride, which aims to raise £1million ($1.5 million/€1.2 million), will begin on May 2013 next year and see cyclist set off from all corners of the country, as well as from abroad, before meeting at Blackheath on June 2.

From Blackheath, thousands of riders, led by the biggest cohort of wounded servicemen, women and veterans, will cycle into London in support for those who have suffered life-changing injuries or illness whilst in service.

They will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in memory of those who lost their lives in previous conflicts, cycle past Buckingham Palace, then up The Mall and finally into the Horse Guards Parade, which is located adjacent to the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.


"I am delighted to launch 2013 Hero Ride," said Cameron, who was in regular attendance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

"It will be a truly fantastic sight to see thousands of cyclists come from all over the UK, riding to The Cenotaph, in support of our men and women of the Armed Forces.

"I wish Help for Heroes every success in meeting their target of raising £1million ($1.5 million/€1.2 million) which will help continue the excellent work that is done at Tedworth House and elsewhere, ensuring our veterans get the support they need and deserve."

The Prime Minister also made clear his admiration for those he met at Tedworth House Recovery Centre in Wiltshire.

"I never fail to be amazed by the sheer grit and determination of our forces and what they can achieve both on and off the battlefield," he said.

"Meeting with some of our wounded serving personnel and veterans and seeing just what they have achieved – some of them cycling the width of America - brings this into sharp focus. I, like the rest of the country, have nothing but admiration for them."

Cameron pledged his support for Hero Ride alongside world champion and triple London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist Jon-Allan Butterworth, who took part in the first Big Battlefield Bike Ride in 2008 after returning injured from Iraq.


"Help for Heroes helped with my recovery and put me on the path to competitive cycling through the Battle Back Programme," said Butterworth.

"Before my injury, I fought for my country.

"Today, I represent Great Britain in cycling.

"Register for your Hero Ride and help others like me.

"It will take you on an adventure and at the same time raise vital funds to support the great work that Help for Heroes do."

Hero Ride is an expansion of the Big Battlefield Bike Ride, which marked the launch of the charity in 2008.

It will be the biggest cycling demonstration of national support for the wounded this country has ever seen with the aim of raising a minimum of £1million ($1.5 million/€1.2 million) for Help for Heroes to ensure that those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illness whilst in service get the very best support.

To find out more about Hero Ride and to register click here.

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