Cycling for Veterans in the Footsteps of Wellington’s Army

Cycling for Veterans in the Footsteps of Wellington’s Army

This September George Chesney is taking on a solo unsupported 450-mile cycle trip from Madrid to Bayonne, in Southern France, to raise money for SSAFA – Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association: funds will be divided between SSAFANI and SSAFA Republic of Ireland. George has named the route The Wellington Trail, as it roughly follows the route taken by The Duke of Wellington’s allied armies in the latter part of the Peninsular Campaign during The Napoleonic War in 1813; a large portion of whom were Irish.

George from Ballymena, Co Antrim, is a graduate of Sandhurst and serving five years with the Royal Engineers and 24 with the Territorial Army. He is the Chair of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Northern Ireland.

I have no idea how far I will cycle as I meander through Northern Spain, avoiding all motorways and the steepest of climbs.  No doubt there will be thrills (probably just a few) and spills (hopefully none!) as I cycle the Wellington Trail.

As with many veterans, as time goes on, bits tend to fall off but have been glued back on. Thanks to the NHS, Surgeon Mark Chapman and the staff at the Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin this is George’s second fundraising cycle trip, and should be a breeze after successful surgical repairs earlier this year.

We look forward to updating you with George’s progress as he takes on this mammoth challenge!

Thank you to the Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office for letting us know about George’s Wellington Trail and photographs.

You can support George on his JustGiving page.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wellington-trail