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Help for Heroes set to hit £100m after Paris bike ride | Help for Heroes set to hit £100m after Paris bike ride |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Forces' charity Help for Heroes is set to reach £100m in public donations, after three and a half years of work. | Forces' charity Help for Heroes is set to reach £100m in public donations, after three and a half years of work. |
It is hoped a fundraising bike ride through the battlefields of France will push through the barrier, raising £1m. | It is hoped a fundraising bike ride through the battlefields of France will push through the barrier, raising £1m. |
Around 300 of the charity's supporters will start the bike ride from Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon, finishing in Paris on Friday. | Around 300 of the charity's supporters will start the bike ride from Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon, finishing in Paris on Friday. |
The charity builds specialist recovery centres for soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq. | The charity builds specialist recovery centres for soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq. |
Some of the cyclists have lost limbs and will be using their hands to operate their bikes. | Some of the cyclists have lost limbs and will be using their hands to operate their bikes. |
Andy Newell, who was one of the soldiers who inspired the charity, is taking part in the ride. | Andy Newell, who was one of the soldiers who inspired the charity, is taking part in the ride. |
He was shot through the arm by a rogue Afghan policeman while he served in Afghanistan and spent months in hospital. | He was shot through the arm by a rogue Afghan policeman while he served in Afghanistan and spent months in hospital. |
The retired Para told the BBC: "People stepped up to the mark for me when I needed it, from Help for Heroes and other soldiers I knew and didn't know helped me, so I want to do my bit for them." | The retired Para told the BBC: "People stepped up to the mark for me when I needed it, from Help for Heroes and other soldiers I knew and didn't know helped me, so I want to do my bit for them." |
'Faith in humanity' | 'Faith in humanity' |
The charity's founders, Bryn and Emma Parry, say they are amazed at the public's generosity. | The charity's founders, Bryn and Emma Parry, say they are amazed at the public's generosity. |
But they urged people to continue their support to ensure it could provide a lifetime of support for men and women who have sustained life-changing injuries. | But they urged people to continue their support to ensure it could provide a lifetime of support for men and women who have sustained life-changing injuries. |
Bryn Parry, said: "It has really restored my faith in humanity - that people are prepared to do this, and they're not just giving money, they're giving of themselves, and most of the money we raise is people doing something." | Bryn Parry, said: "It has really restored my faith in humanity - that people are prepared to do this, and they're not just giving money, they're giving of themselves, and most of the money we raise is people doing something." |
They said when they launched the charity they expected to raise a few thousand pounds. | They said when they launched the charity they expected to raise a few thousand pounds. |
Emma Parry said: "One of my very special memories was opening, or a cheque being opened in the office, for £98,000 in January 2008. We'll never forget it. | Emma Parry said: "One of my very special memories was opening, or a cheque being opened in the office, for £98,000 in January 2008. We'll never forget it. |
"We opened the cheque and read the amount - I think someone had to come and check that it was the right amount - it was just phenomenal to think someone would be generous enough to do that." | "We opened the cheque and read the amount - I think someone had to come and check that it was the right amount - it was just phenomenal to think someone would be generous enough to do that." |
The charity raised £8m towards the building of a swimming pool and gym complex at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Headley, Surrey. The complex was opened by Prince William last year. | |
Help for Heroes is also building several other recovery units across the UK. |
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