Cycling the Somme

The Royal British Legion

is dedicated to helping serving and ex-Service men and women and their families. Each year about 1000 people are helped to visit war graves around the world and over 300,000 calls for help in other areas are answered. The Legion also answers up to 54,000 queries about war pensions and a further 5000 people are helped with a stay in our homes. 100,000 visits are made each year to the housebound or those in hospital.

The Poppy Appeal provides only one half of the funds needed. This fundraising cycle trip was just another way to help the Legion continue to give the ex - Service community the help they need.

The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society

was founded in the immediate aftermath of the First World War. For over 75 years it has been the only organisation specialising in the care of men and women of all ranks discharged from the Armed services and Merchant Navy who suffer from injury to the mind. The Society has a regional network of welfare officers throughout the United Kingdom who visit patients in their home or in hospital, and who assist with the presentation of claims and appeals for War Disablement Pensions. The Society also has the facility of a permanent home for veterans and three short stay treatment and respite care homes.