Royal marine musicians take to their bikes
A team of Royal Marine musicians are getting on their bikes in honour of two friends who died last year.
Fifteen of the Portsmouth-based musicians are gearing up to ride from Kent to Cornwall on a fundraising drive dubbed Bandies on Bikes.
The cyclists will ride in memory of Major John Kelly, who died aged 46 from a rare neurological disease, and Band Corporal Andy Thomson, who lost his fight against skin cancer at 34.
Warrant Officer Class Two Lee Cullen, one of the cyclists who is helping to organise the ride, said: 'We have already raised almost 10,000 through donations and hope to double that by the time we complete the challenge.'
The five-day challenge will start on May 18 in Deal, Kent – the home town of Major Kelly – and end in Torpoint, Cornwall, where B/Cpl Thomson lived.
The team of 15 will be joined by between three and five other Royal Marines musicians on each day.
Major Kelly's daughter Jade will cycle the first leg and his brother Fran will join the third leg between Portsmouth and Poole.
Money raised will go towards three charities: the Deal Bandstand Memorial Trust chosen by Major Kelly's wife Wendy, St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth selected by B/Cpl Thomson's wife Cathy, and the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, which supports Royal Marines injured or killed on operations and their families.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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