Steve Bainbridge Charity Ride for Walking with the Wounded

While the Invictus Games may be over, fundraising efforts for service men and women carry on all over the country.

Originally established by Prince Harry in 2014 with the aim of supporting those who have been wounded physically or mentally by war, the games have gone on to offer hope and inspiration to thousands who have given so much to their countries.

In the UK, the charity Walking with the Wounded provides assistance to service men and women who suffer life-changing injuries, both visible and invisible, while serving their countries. They offer invaluable support through their programmes to those who have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged by their service and assist them in gaining independence through new long term careers outside of the military.

On the 4th June, former England international rugby union player and Benfield’s Group Retail Sales Experience Manager, Steve Bainbridge, will be taking part in the Clock to the Rock charity bike ride to raise money for this outstanding charity.

Speaking of the event Steve said: “Each year we complete a Ride of the Lions charity cycle ride, it’s a big challenge but it’s for a great cause. It’s a bunch of ex British Lions rugby players subjecting themselves to a little pain, in order to enjoy a social refreshment in the evening! They are joined by other keen cyclists who are paying the Walking with the Wounded charity £2800 each to ride with disabled service men.”

“Last year we had a guy riding and beating us, a para Olympic medalist who had lost a leg in Afghanistan. It’s a bit of a reality check really and it puts a stop to the moaning about the pace or distance.”

The first leg begins at Big Ben and will finish in Gibraltar, covering a painful 1,260 miles and 56,000 feet of climbing.

The poem ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley, tells us: ‘I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul’ which perfectly sums up the essence of both charities.

Steve has set himself an ambitious target of £2,000 - to donate and help our injured service men and women become the ‘master of their fates’.