Pedal power boost for heroes
EIGHT combat veterans from the army’s gunnery school at Lulworth Camp have completed a tough 200-mile cycle ride for Swanage’s Heroes Haven charity.

The team, of seven non-commissioned officers and a warrant officer, completed the ride through Dorset and along the Jurassic Coast.

Lulworth Camp’s Sgt Colin Russell said: “All soldiers in the team have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and have had close friends injured and killed during both conflicts.

“The ride included a 100-mile loop up and down many, many hills, and return back to Lulworth Camp where they had a quick pit stop for some food and a stretch off then headed straight back out on the second loop.”

Heroes Haven run a specially-designed holiday cabin for injured servicemen, servicewomen and their families. Sgt Russell said: “It is a place where injured service personnel can go with their families for some respite to get away from the everyday hassles that they may have back home.

“It has full facilities to cater for all kinds of injuries and offers the soldiers and families that break away they may need.”

The riders are still trying to collect as much as possible, so visit justgiving.com/teams/200mile cycle-heroeshaven if you would like to donate.

 

Wreck rally helps ward
MADCAP motorists from Beaminster have handed over the final donations from their Czech Wrecks Rally to Prague.

Reg Pielesz and Robin Ormsby – dubbed the Beaminster Bangers – clocked up over £1,568 by taking part in the rally drive across Europe.

Reg has already handed over £784 to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at the Dorset County Hospital where his daughter Elodie, now four, was looked after.

Now he has presented the same amount to the Sandbanks cancer ward at Poole Hospital where the late Stephen Dewar of Beaminster was cared for.

Reg, of Beaminster, said: “Our thanks go to everyone who has supported us in any way, however big or small.

“Whether it is £1 or £300 all of the support is much appreciated.”

The money donated to Sandbanks is to be used specifically for the family room. Popular Stephen was cared for at Sandbanks before dying of a brain tumour aged 27.

His parents Malcolm and Pauline Dewar run the Red Lion at Beaminster. His sisters are Kerry, Carly, and Sophie.

Reg said that their special thanks went to the Dewar family.

“All our love, thanks and support is with the Dewar family.

“Steve is always in our hearts.”

Mr and Mrs Dewar said that they wanted to thank Reg and Robin very much for raising the money.

Reg and Robin, drove a 2.2-litre Honda Accord, across Europe in the Czech Wrecks rally.

Reg said that it went well and he drove the journey back from Prague to Beaminster in one day.