A Royal Navy veteran has raised hundreds of pounds for leading homelessness charity, ALABARÉ, by travelling across the South West and Wales on a speed-limited moped.
Dafydd Ruston, known as Dave, took on the challenge to coincide with his retirement from the military after more than 23 years of service.
He’s ridden a 40-year-old 50cc moped a total of 550 miles, from his home in Bournemouth in Dorset, up to his childhood home of West Wales and back down to the Royal Navy’s base in Portsmouth.
The journey, which has taken three days at a maximum speed of 30 mph throughout, has been in support of ALABARÉ, specifically, for their Homes for Veterans service.
Dave also made a stop off at the charity’s Headquarters in Salisbury during the final leg and was greeted by a guard of honour from colleagues.
Giving back to ALABARÉ for helping a friend
Dave chose to raise money for the charity after seeing the help ALABARÉ provided to a friend and former colleague, who has been staying in their supported living accommodation in Plymouth.
Following the practical and holistic care they’ve had with the charity, they’re now working towards employability and fulfilling lives.
Across 90 bedspaces for veterans in ALABARÉ services in the South West and Wales, in the last financial year, more than half (55%) have successfully moved into independent living, while over a third (35%) have reported an improvement in their physical health.
Dave Ruston said of his journey:
“Morale was really high throughout the trip, and the bike and I held up well. The challenge hasn’t been for the faint-hearted, so it’s a good job I have over 20 years of military training and resilience behind me!
“I’m really pleased to have been able to do something in support of ALABARÉ, as I’ve seen just how amazing their work is in supporting veterans who need help at a troubled time.”
The challenge, entitled The Moped and the Matelot, has raised over £600 for ALABARÉ so far, with a dedicated fundraising page still open at https://www.justgiving.com/page/TheMopedAndTheMatelot
James Tomlinson, Director of People, Communications and Change at ALABARÉ, said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome Dave to ALABARÉ’s Riverside House during his amazing journey, and we’re grateful for his efforts to support our Homes for Veterans service.
“When someone is at risk of homelessness, and their mental health is affected, it can not only directly impact them hugely, but also their wider circle of family and friends. To that end, it’s great to hear from Dave about the positive experience his friend has experienced within ALABARÉ’s care and their journey towards independence.
“We’re incredibly proud of the work being done in our frontline services to break the cycle of homelessness and delighted to have the support of people like Dave to continue those efforts. I wish him the best of luck for his Royal Navy retirement and thank him for marking the moment with such a kind act.”
