Army captain tackles British cycle ride from Afghanistan (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Army captain tackles British cycle ride from Afghanistan

1:30pm Thursday 29th October 2009

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AN ARMY captain is helping to keep on her toes during a six-month tour of duty of Afghanistan by tackling a cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats.

Captain Rachel Thompson, 30, of Fairford, is currently one month into her tour serving in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province and will complete her 1,400km challenge on exercise bikes at the base.

Together with Sergeant Al Clark, of Bude, Rachel has started a 19-day challenge of cycling 74km per day.

The pair, who are members of 261 Signal Squadron, will be fitting in the cycling around their regular operational commitments.

They are cycling the distance between Lands End to John O’Groats- the only difference is they are completing the route on cycle machines in the UK headquarters in Lashkar Gah.

The pair hope to raise £8,000 for Toe in the Water, a charity with aims to inspire the men and women who have sustained traumatic injuries, including the loss of limbs, to move beyond their disability and become re-inspired by life.

Capt Thompson said: " We wanted an additional physical challenge and raising money to help the injured service men and woman who have sacrificed so much seemed fitting."

This is the second time she has served in Afghanistan, having joined the Army in 2002. The previous time was in 2007-08 when she was working with Electronic Counter Measures (Forces Protection). She has also completed a tour in Iraq.

Sergeant Clark said: "I know that many people will be thinking about showing their support by sending out packages in time for Christmas. However, rather than sending parcels I would urge people to donate whatever they can to our charity cycle ride."

To donate money visit www.justgiving.com/toeinthewatercycle.

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