Halton man's Cumbria bike ride raises £2,500 for veterans charity

Coun Roger Dennison, Col Peter and Mrs Pamela Dew, Raymond Hirst and Brian Jefferson.

Retired RAF pilot Brian Jefferson returned to the Lancaster City Museum steps last Saturday at midday to be greeted by supporters from Lancaster Military Heritage Group and the Royal Air Force Association.

As we reported earlier in September Brian's ride took him north through Kendal, Patterdale and Penrith to Carlisle and returned on the coastal route through Bowness on Solway, Silloth and West Cumbria before heading east from Ravenglass to Grange via Broughton in Furness.

The money raised will go to veterans charity Combat Stress.

Brian preparing to depart from Arnside or the final leg into Lancaster.

Brian said: “I feel really good about regaining my personal fitness and raising over £2,500 for a very worthwhile charity, which like many others is suffering a funding crisis.”

Riding a vintage 1970s Phillips road bike “gave an added level of difficulty, given its weight and the panniers, on some of the uphill challenges such as Kirkstone Pass,” saidBrian.

He also thanked all of his supporters and particularly the team who enabled the ride on a daily basis.

Lancaster City Council Veterans Champion Coun Roger Dennison congratulated Brian on his terrific achievement and encouraged others to support this fundraising effort.

If you would like to sponsor the ride, you can email Brian at [email protected] or send a cheque payable to ‘Combat Stress’ to LMHG Treasurer, Pipers Wood, Halton, LA2 6LP.