Ex-Army Colonel cycling 140km from St Paul's to Salisbury for homeless veterans
Richard Winstanley OBE will be making the journey on Armed Forces Day
A former Army Colonel is to cycle 140km from London to Salisbury in support of veterans at risk of homelessness on Armed Forces Day (27th June) next month.
Richard Winstanley OBE will be taking on the challenge after being a part of Alabaré's BIG sleep at St Pauls Cathedral on 26th June.
Then, on the 27th, Richard will be pedalling back from the iconic site in the Capital, back to Salisbury.
He's has already raised £9,000 for the charity, which runs multiple services supporting ex-military personnel who've fallen on hard times.
"I just thought the sleep-out itself was probably not tough enough! There’s a certain connectivity in cycling from St Paul’s back here to Riverside House in Salisbury," Richard said. "It’s 140 km, and I’ve got a good friend coming with me who’s not doing the BIG Sleep to help keep me awake. But it’s just to raise a bit more awareness, and hopefully more funds.”
As well as being a veteran himself, Richard is a trustee for Alabaré, a role he's held since 2023.
We can support his efforts here.
Homelessness "not a choice"
Veterans becoming homeless is a very real issue, with Government figures suggesting at least 6,000 former service men and women are at risk of homelessness.
Richard says this is a chance to give back to people who've served our country: “It’s a great shame that we have anybody who is homeless, for whatever circumstance, particularly veterans who have served our country.
"Nobody wants or chooses to be homeless, and yet they’ve fallen on hard times, and this is our chance to help them, to raise some money and awareness, and to improve their lot.”
Since opening its first home for ex-military personnel in 2009, Alabaré has helped over 2,000 veterans by providing supported living accommodation, whilst also offering support for mental and physical health, accessing employment and helping them pave the way back to independent living.
The charity currently has 16 Homes for Veterans across the South West, providing 90 bedspaces.
An "iconic" location
The BIG Sleep ahead of Armed Forces Day will be the first-ever public sleep out at St Paul's Cathedral.
200 people are set to be a part of it, with the aim of raising £200,000 for the charity, which needs a minimum of £1.7 million per year to continue its work.
During the fundraising event, participants will be able to take part in a special evensong at the Cathedral, followed by a concert under the famous dome, with live music from the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir and the British Imperial Military Band.
There will also be testimonies from veterans who've been supported by Alabaré and a welcome from the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett.
“St Paul’s Cathedral is iconic. If you ask somebody where St Paul’s is, they will know. We’re extremely fortunate to have the Dean allowing us to use it and the garden for this extraordinary sleep out, the night before Armed Forces Day," Richard said.
Spaces remain available and people interested in joining Richard at St Paul's Cathedral can sign up here.