THE Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire got on his bike recently in support of the people who put their lives on the line for our country.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Holcroft cycled from Wellington Barracks in London to Waterloo, Belgium, along with two of his sons and more than 250 supporters including soldiers, friends and supporters of the Grenadier Guards.

Prime Minister David Cameron started the event on Tuesday, September 24, and the 240-mile journey was completed by the keen cyclists two days later.

Lt Col Holcroft said: “I was delighted to take part in the cycle ride to raise much- needed money for the Grenadier Guards Colonel’s Fund.

“The fund is a really important way of providing additional help and support to those Grenadiers and their families who have been affected by serious injury or disability.”

The cyclists travelled via Ypres, Belgium, where the regimental band took part in a ceremony at the Menin Gate.

The riders, ranging from 21 to 77 years old, raised money for the Grenadier Guards Colonel’s Fund in aid of the 120 servicemen killed or seriously wounded on operations in Afghanistan from the Grenadier regiment.

Lt Col Holcroft is chairman of the fund and the regiment has the Freedom of the City of Worcester. He was appointed the Queen’s new Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire last December, having held the role of deputy for three years. He succeeded the late Michael Brinton.

For more information on the charity, visit thecolonels fund.com.