Pictured, left: SSgt Lawrence, Sgt Driver, LCpl Cope and Pte Ingleby
Seven members of 105 Logistic Support Squadron located at Canadian Forces Base Suffield, are taking on a 850-mile cycling challenge, from Banff to Edmonton, 4th – 14th July 2014.
The main purpose of the exercise is to raise funds and awareness of two charities; Veterans Aid,the major charity for UK veterans in crisis and Soldier On, which empowers retired and serving personnel of the Canadian Forces with an illness or injury.
The challenge – Exercise Rocky Peddle- is part of the bigger event, Flag to Flag, that was initiated by 105 Logistic Support Squadron.
Warrant Officer Mark Gwilt said, “105 Log Sp Sqn pledged to raise cash last year to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Royal Logistic Corps. Exercise Rocky Peddle is part of the original pledge and we decided to do it for Veterans Aid and Soldier On. It is a great opportunity to support UK and Canadian Veterans in a manner that sustains our espirit de corps while raising sponsorship and awareness for a worthy cause.”
Major Kris Beauman, Officer Commanding 105 Log Sp Sq, added “We live, work and endeavour alongside our Canadian counterparts here in Suffield. At the moment Veterans’ issues are important for the UK and Canadian public and it therefore makes perfect sense that we approach this challenge together. The cycling activity has been deliberately designed to be all inclusive: all permanent and temporary staff have participated and made a contribution regardless of trade and physical or medical fitness.”
CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy who is an affiliate member of the committee that advises the Canadian Veterans Ombudsman, Guy Parent, said, “I’m particularly pleased that a sister Canadian charity is being supported. Few people will know that we have strong links with Canadian Veterans and have supported more than a few over the years.”
In 2010, Dr Milroy went to Canada to brief members of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and spoke at the country’s first Military and Veterans Health Conference in Kingston, Ontario in 2010. He was one of 250 international health professionals and academics participating in the ground-breaking Kingston forum and the only British contributor.
In recognition of Exercise Rocky Peddle, an article commemorating the exercise and the presentation to Veterans Aid will be published in the Soldier magazine as well as the Royal Logistic Corps journal.
The JustGiving page can be found here.
