Help for Heroes is honoured to announce Tesco as the headline sponsor of Help for Heroes’ flagship fundraising event, the Big Battlefield Bike Ride. This partnership will help raise awareness of the challenges many veterans face and the services we provide. This partnership can make a lasting difference to those who have served.
This year’s ride holds special significance as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE Day, providing an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made during the Second World War while supporting veterans today.
The four-day, 250-mile journey will see over 100 riders embark on an inspiring route from Buckingham Palace to Rheine, Germany. Along the way, cyclists will follow in the footsteps of the Allied Forces, stopping at key historical landmarks to honour the heroes of the past. The event not only serves as a moving tribute but also aims to raise vital funds for veterans in need, ensuring they receive the ongoing support they deserve.
Since its inception in 2007, the Big Battlefield Bike Ride has become a cornerstone event for Help for Heroes, with thousands of participants rallying together to support those affected by military service. Last year alone, the ride raised an impressive £344,416, and with Tesco’s sponsorship, this year’s event is set to have an even greater impact.
Tesco has long been a supporter of the UK’s Armed Forces community. The company’s founder Jack Cohen was a veteran from the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War and this connection continues today through its support for military charities with collections in store and through initiatives such as its Armed Forces Network. The company is a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.
Tesco has supported Help for Heroes for over 10 years allowing the charity to collect in store, raising over £1m in that time.
Rhys Little, Chair of the Armed Forces Network at Tesco, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor of the Big Battlefield Bike Ride. We’ve had a long association with the Armed Forces, from our founder Jack Cohen using his demob money from the Royal Flying Corps to start the business, to now being the biggest private sector employer of veterans leaving the forces. This event is a powerful reminder of our history and the importance of supporting those who continue to live with the impact of military service.”
Fundraiser Rhydian Mason, who took part in last year’s ride, said:
“I had to take part – it was a way to connect my grandfather’s experience 80 years ago with today’s veterans. I knew I’d be cycling through areas he once fought in.
“The best part of the ride is the camaraderie. I’ve been welcomed with open arms. We laugh together, we ride together and nobody gets left behind. The ride is unforgettable, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. Being at some of the memorials is overwhelming and incredibly emotional. The ride will stay with you for a lifetime.”
Help for Heroes continues to provide life-changing support to wounded veterans and their loved ones, and the Big Battlefield Bike Ride remains a testament to the power of community, camaraderie, and remembrance.
The Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2025 takes place on the 17 to the 21 June.
For more information on the Big Battlefield Bike Ride and to support the cause, please visit Big Battlefield Bike Ride | Help For Heroes .
Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The Charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. It has already supported tens of thousands – and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.
The Charity supports veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.
- To get support visit helpforheroes.org.uk.
