Donations pour in for Help Heroes cyclists

Jonathan Trafford, Phil McLure and Jamie Hull

PEDDLE-POWER propelled a fund raiser off the starting blocks in memory of murdered fusilier Lee Rigby.

Lee’s dad, Phil McClure, is supporting wounded former serviceman and Help the Heroes ambassador, Jamie Hull, and his friend Jonathan Trafford on a bike ride from John O’Groats to Edinburgh. Phil is driving their support vehicle supplied by his employers Eddie Stobart.

Jamie and Jonathan will meet up with other wounded former soldiers – some with missing limbs and others who are struggling to come to terms with their experiences of war — in Edinburgh for the official Help the Heroes “Hero Ride North” which will involve them travelling 450 miles to Windsor. They will be joined by even more cyclists before hitting the road again to end the epic challenge at Land’s End.

Phil started the pennies rolling in at Whittles rock venue, in Oldham, last Friday when they raised around £200 in donations.

He told the Chronicle on Tuesday that despite being only 20 miles into their 270 journey the cash was already pouring in.

“We only stopped for a coffee but people were throwing money at us, it was fantastic,” said Phil, from Bardsley.

“It was a great response so early on so hopefully we will raise a lot along the way.”

Phil was determined to pay back the support and kindness shown to him and Lee’s family following his horrific murder in 2013. And he says his employer Eddie Stobart — where Lee had applied to be a driver on leaving the army — has been behind him all the way.

In was at the unveiling of a truck they named in Lee’s honour that he met Jamie Hull — a former member of the Parachute Regiment who suffered 63 per cent burns in a plane crash — and became involved with the huge fundraising cycle ride.

“Eddie Stobart has been fantastic,” said Phil.

“They are big supporters of Help the Heroes and have supplied the vehicle, the diesel and given my time towards this event which we’re all very grateful for.”

You can support “Hero Ride North” in Lee’s memory by donating on their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Lee-Rigby-Memory.

email: gillpotts@oldham-chronicle.co.uk