It would appear that working on one of the busiest operational helicopter squadrons in the country is not enough to satisfy some people’s lust for serving their country! Members of No. 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron at Royal Air Force Benson in Oxfordshire have decided not only to raise money for the RAF Association, but to do so in a most gruelling way...by cycling the 848 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.
Despite their busy UK duties and commitments in Iraq, Wing Commander Rich Luck and Flight Sergeant Dino Hempleman are making time to prepare for the long days of pedalling ahead. Cycling all the way from one end of the country to the other is no mean feat – and some say that cycling northwards is uphill too! Lunch hours, evenings and weekends are no longer time for odd jobs and relaxation. With less than 13 weeks to go, even the inclement winter weather has not deterred these dedicated individuals who have been putting their best pedal forward in preparation for 9 days of what can only be described as ‘a hard slog’!
The trip, in aid of the RAF Association which provides comradeship, welfare and care for current and former members of the RAF, begins at 08:00 hrs on Sunday 27 May. Whether the official Land’s End photographer is open by then or not, the team will start their endeavour next to his stall. The route takes them through Cornwall via Okehampton and on to Bristol. From there up through Shropshire, en-route to Lancaster, Moffat, Dunkeld, Inverness and Wick, finally reaching John o’ Groats on 4 June.
The team’s website, www.team28sqn.co.uk has details of the route as well as lots of ideas about how you can get involved and very importantly, how you can sponsor them - after all, the RAF Association is one of the RAF’s most loved charities – let’s help them keep up their important work. For more information about the work of the RAF Association, visit their website, www.rafa.org.uk.
If you are in the vicinity of RAF Benson between now are the end of May, keep an eye out for two wheeled flashes of lycra shooting past your nose. For on your leisurely stroll through the countryside of middle England, you probably witnessed Team 28 Squadron going through their paces!