Slow Horses - two old boys in their Lycra

With 2025 being such a special anniversary for victory in Europe, Paul Whitfield (PJ) and Mike Mcsherry (Mac) will be squeezing into their cycling gear and teaming up to raise funds for a very worthy military charity - HELP FOR HEROES.

Friends for over 40 years (10+ of them together in the army) we have decided to get out of our comfort zone and do something a little bit special for great charity. Having been semi-retired for a few years Paul and Mike will be putting their 60+ year old fitness levels, their ability to raise funds for charity and, of course, their (substantially!) reinforced Lycra to the test and participate in the challenge THE BIG BATTLEFIELD BIKE RIDE TO THE RHEINE in Germany.

The route starts at Buckingham Palace on Monday 16 June (Paul's birthday!) travelling through the South of England, Belgium and the Netherlands ending 4 days later on the Rheine in Germany. This is an organised supported cycle challenge which follows broadly the route which many of our our allied forces took in 1944/45, passing key battlefields along the way.

We are are looking to raise over £6,000 for Help for Heroes, so any donation you would like to make will be gratefully received.

Paul (PJ) also wishes to dedicate his ride in memory of his brother-in-law, Mike Good who sadly passed away as a result of cancer at the age of 58. A passionate and accomplished cyclist (unlike ourselves!) completed many endurance rides, dedicating substantial amounts to his chosen charities.

Why the Team name 'Slow Horses' ? Well, other than the tenuous link by name to their role in the Household Cavalry, the fantastic TV series SLOW HORSES portrays the misfit and side-lined MI5 agents, which seemed very apt to our dynamic duo and their anticipated approach to their first endurance cycle challenge!

A bit about the charity - Help for Heroes

Veterans and their families face their toughest battles yet. Painful injuries. Mental trauma. Disability. Isolation.

Help for Heroes life-changing services provides them with great support - From physical and mental health care, to help with welfare medical needs.

Funds raised during this bike ride will be well spent by the charity.