On the 26th August 2020, 3 Brothers in Arms will begin an attempt to visit all 30 H-D Dealerships across England, Scotland and Wales in 60 hrs. Yes, really.Major Tony Finch, Sgt Maj Jack Hargreaves and Major Warren Mahoney will be taking on the Iron Hog Challenge! 

Why, you ask? Apart from taking on the challenge of getting around Britain in August on Harley Davidson motorbikes, we want to raise much needed awareness for the NHS Armed Forces Networks; which are embedded in the NHS Trusts, and perhaps, also, make a few quid for the Veteran's Breakfast Clubs.

The Sussex Armed Forces Network teams work tirelessly within the community assisting our nations Veterans. The work carried out by these champions is groundbreaking and their approach helps remove the stigma. 'The Breakfast Club' initiative gives Veterans — some living with the strain of PTSD and other mental health issues — an opportunity to visit a drop-in centre where assistance and advice is available and offered over a proper brew and a decent bacon butty. 

This specialist advice is free, yes, free. The assistance from the NHS team, benefits advisors and Armed Forces charities such as Veterans UK, RBL, SSAFA, and Combat Stress are on hand to offer help. All these specialist advisors offer their time unpaid to the Veterans and their families, in an attempt to help those of us who carry the invisible scars borne from a time in service.

The Journey: 1st Leg

So, we will depart Maidstone H-D at 0700hrs to ride the 1st leg. Visiting all the dealerships up the eastern side of this Scepter’d Isle, arriving in Edinburgh for a much-needed rest. Our hosts, for a few hours,105 Regiment Royal Artillery are taking care of us before moving on. 640+ miles on the clock!

The Journey: 2nd Leg

Edinburgh to Glasgow’s West Coast dealership and the run down the west of England through the North West, the Midlands and on into Wales and completing that leg of the ride at Bristol. This time resting up courtesy of University of Bristol’s Officer Training Corps. 720+ miles pushed out!

The Journey: 3rd and final Leg

The run home - 435 miles, will be out west to Plymouth via Bridgewater and then back through our southern counties returning to Maidstone. 

And now, the ask. 

Why are we undertaking this challenge? 

To help our 'Brothers in Arms'.  

We want you to 'stand' a Veteran a brew and a bacon butty; that also comes with a chat, one that may change that persons life. There's no better reason to skip Star*ucks for one day — give your brew to a Veteran in need.

You could assist a Veteran struggling or dealing with their own mental health and ease the burden for that individual – their wife, husband, partner, parents or child. 

Breakfast Club, want to learn more? See it in action →  https://youtu.be/_6cjpazEQ5c  

If you see us on the road, hang loose, a thumbs up or a wave will definitely spur us on. Or, get involved, we need 'boots on the ground' if you see a Breakfast Club advertised in your area, pop in and have a chat with a Veteran. You may find that a chat with someone with a story or two is just the tonic. 

How do I engage with a Veteran? THREE simple rules: the RAF chat, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines spin dits and the Army, well…we just gob off! 😉  

Thank you, 

Tony, Jack & Warren