On 24th May 2009, 240 Help for Heroes (H4H) fundraisers, from across the UK and from all walks of life including seven service personnel wounded in recent conflicts, set out from Portsmouth to cycle 350 miles across France from Cherbourg to Paris.  As Europe gears up to celebrate the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the cycle-route takes in some of the most significant WWII battle sites that pay tribute to the courage of American, English, Canadian, Polish and French allies in the Second World War; allies that are still standing shoulder to shoulder in today's conflicts.

Last year's bike ride went on to raise £1.4m for initiatives that support British troops wounded in current conflicts.  This year, H4H cyclists are aiming to raise at least £500K towards the Charity's next target of £20m.  The £20m will be put towards the provision of Hero Recovery Centres, part of the Government's 'Welfare Pathway' vision.  The Welfare Pathway aims to provide wounded, injured and long-term sick military personnel (both regular and mobilised reserves) with continuous support to help them return to duty or retrain for a civilian career.

The initiative will see the creation of seven Hero Recovery Centres designed to be a "half-way house" between medical care and return to "normal life".  Here military patients can continue to recover within a caring, home-like environment suited to their particular needs that will facilitate the swiftest possible return to duty or smooth the transition to an appropriately skilled and supported civilian life.  H4H is helping to fund these Recovery Centres and the first of them, it is hoped, will open in Edinburgh later this year, Colchester and then rolling out across the key Garrison sites.

The challenging route of the bike ride will present a great physical challenge for both able bodied and disabled participants alike.  From veterans to FANYs (women who were special forces in WWII), from wounded soldiers to families cycling for friends, families or fellow Brits, there are many stories to be told on the way.  It promises to be an amazing, emotional journey culminating at the Eiffel Tower on the 29th May 2009.

Bryn Parry, H4H Co-Founder says, "Help for Heroes is all about ordinary people 'doing their bit' to help men and women wounded in the current conflicts. There are now over 3500 events organised by volunteers across the country, with people cake baking, running, climbing, parachuting, leg shaving, swimming, in fact anything legal, decent and honest to raise money for our wounded heroes."

"Help for Heroes signature event, which last year raised over £1.4m, is the Band of Brothers Bike Ride.  Now in its second year, the ride will involve 240 cyclists, including a team of Service personnel injured in the line of duty, riding 350 miles across Northern France to raise money.  Their efforts will contribute to the Help for Heroes 'launch pad to life' appeal which has set a target of £20m to provide seven Hero Recovery Centres at garrison towns across the UK. These Recovery Centres will provide a home for the wounded and much needed breathing space while they re-skill and prepare for the next phase of their lives, be that in the military or on and out into a civilian future."

For more information contact Sarah Wright on 07957 626074 or 020 7 924 7214

About H4H (www.Helpforheroes.org.uk)

Help for Heroes (H4H) is an independent British charity, founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help members of the Armed Forces who have been injured in the course of serving their country. Help for Heroes Trading, overseen by Emma Parry, retails a wide range of tri-coloured, Help for Heroes branded merchandise to fund the Charity's operational costs so that all donations go to the wounded servicemen and women. Over one million of the Charity's tri-coloured wristbands have been sold to date and are a familiar sight on the wrists of Armed Forces personnel, civilians and celebrities alike.

Of the £20m raised to date for H4H, over £14m has been either spent or allocated to provide facilities and support services that benefit British servicemen and women injured in action. £8m is being invested in a new swimming pool and gym complex at Headley Court and is expected to open in May 2010.  £3.5 million has been allocated to Combat Stress to build an expansion to its facilities allowing sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to be treated and £150,000 has been given to Battle Back, a tri-service (Army, Air Force and Navy) initiative which uses Adventurous Training and Sport in rehabilitating wounded service men and women.

In its brief 19 month history, the Charity has struck a chord with the British public and attracted some high profile backing from members of the royal family such as HRH Prince of Wales, HRH Princes William and Harry to members of the pop industry such as James Blunt, Simon Cowell and X Factor finalists who went onto release a chart topping hit "Hero" to raise funds for the Charity.  It became the fastest selling charity single of the decade.  Recently award winning actor and journalist, Ross Kemp was made a patron of the charity in acknowledgement of his tireless support for British servicemen and women.  He takes his place alongside founder patrons Jeremy and Francie Clarkson and patrons Monty Halls, James Blunt, Ken Hames and many others.

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