Abingdon cyclists set off on 650-mile ride to Normandy and back for Armed Forces charity
The team will visit key World War II sites and memorials during the six-day cycle
A team of cyclists from Abingdon are setting off on a 650-mile journey through the UK and France today in support of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
The group, known as the Abingdon Extreme Fundraisers, will cycle from Blenheim Palace to Dover before crossing the Channel and visiting significant military sites including Dunkirk, Pegasus Bridge and Normandy.
They will then return via Portsmouth before heading back to Oxfordshire, completing the challenge in six days.
Among those taking part is David Hawthorne from Abingdon, who says months of preparation have gone into the challenge.
"We all started training in November and we've been going out every Sunday on rides, Saturdays if we can, and the odd cycle in the week," he said.
"None of us are proper cyclists as such, so it's been a massive challenge for us all. But we've all committed to it and we're pushing it as far as we can go."
The team will visit a number of memorials during the journey.
David said all of the riders have family connections to military service, or are veterans themselves, making the challenge particularly meaningful.
"Both my grandparents served in the Second World War and my father-in-law," he said.
"It's important to remember their bravery and what they did and what they went through. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are now."
As well as commemorating past generations, the challenge aims to raise money to support mental health services for soldier and veterans today.
David said conversations with former servicemen had given him a greater understanding of the difficulties some face after leaving the Armed Forces.
"One of my best friends is an ex-soldier who I work with now," he said. "I've spoken to him about some of the things he's gone through after serving in Kosovo.
"It is quite unbelievable that they don't receive enough help because it plays so much on their minds."
He added that mental health remains a significant issue for many former service personnel.
"A lot of people don't show when they're struggling," he said. "The biggest problem is when they suffer in silence."
He added the SSAFA plays a key role in helping people open up and access the right support.
The challenge has also extended the bond between riders, with some members sharing their own experiences during training.
"To be able to push each other along with the support, I think it's really brought us a lot closer together as a group," David said.
Despite the scale of the challenge ahead, he says the team is eager to get underway.
"I'm nervous, but really looking forward to it too," he said. "I think it'll be a real eye-opener for us all and I can't wait to get going."
The team are set to return for D-Day celebrations this weekend.