We did it!

Our campaign is now complete. 593 supporters helped us raise £25,599.00

Visit the charity's profile
Closed 20/01/2023
Alabaré

Race To The Sun 2022

NEW DATES, BIGGER MOUNTAINS! 14th-22nd May 2022: A stunning cycling Challenge amid the Andalusian mountains in Spain starting and ending at the towering rock synonymous with Gibraltar, raising funds for socially excluded and homeless Veterans.
£25,599
raised
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Event: Race to the Sun 2022, from 14 May 2022 to 22 May 2022
Closed on 20/01/2023
RCN 1006504

Be a fundraiser

The campaign has now expired but it's not too late to support this charity.

Visit the charity's profile

Story

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.

This historic journey through France and Spain celebrates the special relationship between British Armed Forces and the Rock of Gibraltar. Over the centuries our forbears have guarded the straits and manned the walls, and as we step into the breach once more we will remember them as we go the extra mile in our race to the sun!" - Ken Hames

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

About the charity

Alabaré

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1006504
Alabaré provides a range of homes and services including supported accommodation, drop-in centres, activities, advice and training services. We support homeless people, Armed Forces Veterans, young people, and adults with a learning disability - helping them to achieve independent fulfilling lives.

Donation summary

Total raised
£25,598.19
+ £3,267.23 Gift Aid
Online donations
£21,547.89
Offline donations
£0.00
Direct donations
£1,203.00
Donations via fundraisers
£24,395.19

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.