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Help for Heroes charity cyclists head for London Cyclists ride into London for Help for Heroes charity
(about 4 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. Wounded veterans and service personnel have led about 1,300 cyclists on a 10-mile ride into central London for 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. The Hero Ride follows a week of fundraising, which started in Paris and was planned before the death of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich on 22 May.
Many of those who have cycled through France are war veterans. Many of those who 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. Riders from across the country headed to Blackheath before setting off to the finish line at Horse Guards Parade.
The 300 cyclists who set off from Paris on Tuesday include many British, US and Canadian servicemen and women. The 300 cyclists who set off from Paris on Tuesday included 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.They have cycled more than 350 miles, including passing through various battlefield sites of the two world wars.
'Donate and demonstrate' Help for Heroes co-founder Bryn Parry, speaking about the impact of Drummer Rigby's death, said: "We've done a bike ride every year since we started in 2007.
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.""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. 'Biggest smiles'
"To our great British public, we thank you sincerely for your wonderful, continued support. Singer James Blunt, who served in the Army for six years, said he was honoured to take part in the 10km ride.
"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." He said: "For me, the incredible sight at the front are all our soldiers who have been injured, who have lost limbs, there are guys who have lost one leg, double amputees, some with both legs missing and an arm missing and still here, on hand-bikes even.
Last week Help for Heroes announced it would not accept donations from the far-right English Defence League. "Some have come from Paris or from Edinburgh, and they're the fittest and the strongest amongst us.
EDL leader Tommy Robinson had started fundraising after the killing of Drummer Rigby. "And I think I'm totally inspired by them, they have the biggest smiles, they have the greatest, positive outlook on life.
The charity says it does not accept donations from any political party. "They have, of course, had great support from Help for Heroes which itself has had amazing support from Joe Public out there, who have said, 'come on we want to get behind and say thank you to these guys'."