This circular Challenge of 487km over 5 days, sees riders take on Cat 1 ascents totaling a breath-taking 8,600m through the glorious mountains of Andaluca, Southern Spain. Our bespoke route starts in Gibraltar, takes on the Andaluca mountain range before returning once more to the towering rock synonymous with Gibraltar.

Ken Hames, former British Special Air Service officer and Ambassador to Alabar's Homes for Veterans, leads this incredible cycling adventure in partnership with Skedaddle cycling.

In addition to the challenging ride, once in Gibraltar 12 participants are sought to go up against the Gibraltar Regiment for a tug of war and similar deeds of strength and teamwork.

Fancy taking part yourself? Click here for the brochure

Homes for Veterans

Alabar knows that a small but significant number of Veterans struggle in their civilian lives, and tragically find themselves without a home or place to go. Through our homeless service, we have found that the camaraderie Veterans find in others with similar experiences and who understand life in the Forces, is a key asset in their recovery process. Building on this knowledge, in 2009 we were delighted to open our first Home for Veterans in Plymouth.

Today we support over 100 vulnerable Veterans every night through 21 homes in England and Wales. The problems that lead Veterans to become homeless are varied but can include poor physical or mental health, addiction, debt, domestic abuse or unemployment.

The majority of Veterans we help have lost touch with their families and friends, becoming isolated with little support. Our teams assist each individual to adapt to their new homes and access professional help to overcome their specific problems. Crucially we are there to help Veterans rebuild their confidence and self-esteem and move on through volunteering, training and employment, and ultimately enabling a more fulfilling life.

Ken Hames

(Pictured back row, third from left). From humble beginnings as a boy working on his grandfather's hill farm, he eventually rose to the rank of Major in the Army, commanding an elite mountain unit. Ken has seen action in many parts of the world and has led more than 20 major expeditions.

After years of military service, Ken decided to call it a day and join the world of television and broadcasting.

His first TV show in 1995 (while still in uniform) was The Trek (Meridian) with the help of Princess Diana; he took 12 disadvantaged youngsters to the heart of Africa on a 500-mile journey over desert and mountainous terrain. Diana described Hames as a master practitioner.

Now Ken focuses his energy on supporting homeless and vulnerable Veterans, working alongside Alabars Homes for Veterans.

Community Self Build

CSBA has completed over 178 self-build projects across the UK to date, developing in-excess of 1200 housing units to some of the most disadvantaged members of the local community. As well as providing ex-servicemen with a place to call home, the veterans complete a construction course enabling them to develop skills to engage with the project. They are also provided with valuable job-based skills training to find employment within the construction industry.

Once completed, the Veterans are given the chance to live in the homes they have helped build. Following the recent success of our Leominster project, we have plans for schemes in other parts of the country and hope to start our next Veterans Self Build in 2021.

Visit the Alabar Homes for Veterans webpage

For enquiries and further information please contact fundraising@alabare.co.uk or k.stace@alabare.co.uk