Servicemen from Hampshire to compete in Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge for military charity

Andy and Mark

A Royal Air Force Police (RAFP) Sergeant and Royal Military Police (RMP) Staff Sergeant based in Hampshire are currently training to compete in Revolve 24, the Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge, for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Sgt Andy Gray, 38 and originally from Bradford, will be taking on the challenge with friend and fellow serviceman, SSgt Mark Hardy, 39 and originally from Bangor. Andy says: “Mark mentioned it to me and I thought, ‘sure, why not?’

“He said it was for a charity called Blind Veterans UK, and once I’d done some research into the organisation I could tell it was an enormously worthwhile cause. Being Servicemen ourselves we’re always keen to help out causes like this as much as we can, so we’re both looking forward to hopefully raising as much money as possible.”

Revolve 24, which takes place from 16 – 17 September, will allow participants to challenge themselves on the iconic Brands Hatch circuit. On the day there will be three challenges available: 24 hours, 12 hours and 6 hours. Participants can enter as an individual or in teams of two, four, six or eight. Andy and Mark will be competing as individuals in the full 24 hour challenge.

Andy and Mark are currently based at the Close Protection Unit in Hampshire and both have served for 18 years. It is through their own Service that their immense gratitude and appreciation for those who have gone before them stems from. Andy and Mark explained: “Obviously being in the RAF and the Army we have a natural affiliation with the forces. Anyone who has served our country and suffered injury because of that, whether during or after their Service, deserves our total support.

“For us, Blind Veterans UK really stands out in that sense. It’s a great charity and a very worthwhile cause.”

For now, Andy and Mark are focusing their attention on both fundraising and training. Andy and Mark say: “Fundraising is going well. We’re just trying to push it out as far and as wide as we can to make sure we can raise as much as possible.

“Training is going good too. We’re both pretty busy, so it’s difficult finding the time to train but whenever we do have the opportunity, we’re both out on the bikes.

“Even though we’ve entered together and trained together, come race day we’ll be competitors so it’s safe to say there’s some mutual motivation going on!”

To donate to Andy and Mark, please visit: justgiving.com/andygray-blindveteransuk and https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamhardy6.

To find out more about the Revolve24 Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge, please visit: blindveterans.org.uk/what-you-can-do/events-calendar/revolve24-brands-hatch-cycle-challenge.

For all media enquiries please contact: Felix Arbenz-Caines, PR Assistant, Blind Veterans UK, 12 – 14 Harcourt Street, London, W1H 4HD, E: Felix.Arbenz-Caines@blindveterans.org.uk, T: 020 7616 7941

Notes to Editor

Blind Veterans UK

Blind Veterans UK is a national charity that believes that no-one who has served our country should have to battle blindness alone. Founded in 1915, the charity provides blind and vision impaired ex-Service men and women with lifelong support including welfare support, rehabilitation, training, residential and respite care.

Find out more at: blindveterans.org.uk, follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/blindveteransuk and on Twitter at: twitter.com/blindveterans.

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