Owen to tackle 350-mile cycle challenge and raise cash for Help for Heroes

Owen Ayres, 31, will be tackling the 350-mile Big Battlefield Bike Ride in France and is the only north east representative from a team of 28 Debenhams colleagues participating from across the UK.

Owen is hoping to raise £3,000 for the cause ahead of the ride in June and has already accrued £1,300 through various activities.

Owen said: “I have been busy fundraising in-store, and with the generous help of Scarborough residents, I have already raised £1,300.

“I hope to double this total ahead of the challenge.

“To date, I have biked 50 miles in-store several times and had my legs waxed to fund raise for the charity.

“Help for Heroes is a charity close to the hearts of so many people in the UK.

“I am a veteran of the RAF having been medically discharged back in 2011.

“As such, I know first-hand the excellent work it performs; how vital the work is; and the kind of extraordinary people, many of which I still consider family, the charity helps.

“This is also a personal journey for me. I signed up for the BBBR 2020 to directly confront the loss I feel when reflecting upon my military career, allowing myself to finally move on while paying my respects to those I was so desperate to emulate.”

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owen-ayres to donate to Owen’s fundraising campaign.