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Help for Heroes charity cyclists head for London | Help for Heroes charity cyclists head for London |
(about 7 hours later) | |
More than 1,500 cyclists have taken to the streets of the capital in support of the armed forces charity Help for Heroes. | |
Among those taking part in the Hero Ride are 300 fundraisers who have spent five days cycling from Paris. | |
Many of those who have cycled through France are war veterans. | Many of those who have cycled through France are war veterans. |
Other riders are heading to central London from various locations, with many having met in Blackheath before setting off for Horse Guards Parade. | |
The 300 cyclists who set off from Paris on Tuesday include many British, US and Canadian servicemen and women. | |
They have cycled more than 350 miles, including passing through various battlefield sites of the two world wars. | |
'Donate and demonstrate' | |
It follows a week of fundraising, which had been planned before the killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London, on 22 May. | |
Help for Heroes co-founder Bryn Parry said: "We've done a bike ride every year since we started in 2007. | |
"But the poignancy of Lee's death, the fact he was wearing one of our shirts, the number of people who have volunteered to support us - it's brought it home to people to have a death on our own streets." | |
He added: "We are asking anyone who can, to join us in London, line the route, donate and demonstrate your dignified respect and long-term commitment to those who serve and risk all on our behalf. | |
"To our great British public, we thank you sincerely for your wonderful, continued support. | "To our great British public, we thank you sincerely for your wonderful, continued support. |
"To ride alongside a young man missing three limbs as he powers his handbike up yet another hill, in the pouring rain, determined to complete a 90-mile day is inspiration enough to understand why our support is so needed, so important and must endure." | "To ride alongside a young man missing three limbs as he powers his handbike up yet another hill, in the pouring rain, determined to complete a 90-mile day is inspiration enough to understand why our support is so needed, so important and must endure." |
Last week Help for Heroes announced it would not accept donations from the far-right English Defence League. | Last week Help for Heroes announced it would not accept donations from the far-right English Defence League. |
EDL leader Tommy Robinson had started fundraising after the killing of Drummer Rigby. | |
The charity says it does not accept donations from any political party. |