EX-SOLDIERS from Worcestershire showed their mettle on a gruelling charity cycle ride from Berlin to Windsor to help put their fallen brothers back on their feet.

Team Sapper’s 2015 Challenge was to cycle the 620 miles as part of their ongoing drive on behalf of Help for Heroes which has brought in upwards of £100,000 for the charity.

The team, a winning combination of ex-soldiers and civilians, included Rick Allen of St John’s, Gerry Taggart from Powick (both members of St John’s Worcester Cycling Club) and Ian Seward from Rhydd, the support vehicle driver.

After starting at the Brandenburg Gate on June 13 the team passed through what had been East Germany for many years, described as mainly flat and easy cycling through vast wheatfields to

Bergen–Hohne, the British 32 Engineer Regiment’s Base Camp which gave the team a big welcome even though they were packing to relocate to Catterick.

The camp is within a mile of Belsen Camp which the Queen visited last week.

The team also went through Hameln, The Pied Piper Town where British Sapper Regiments have been based for over 60 years.

The team, some of whom had served there, were all welcomed by locals and the Town Burgermeister.

Other sites on the epic ride were Bielefeld, the British Army’s HQ in Germany, Arnhem where the team visited the battle museum, Colchester where they visited the Chavasse VC Personal Recovery Centre, which Help for Heroes inspired.

They arrived at Windsor on June 21, meeting hundreds of other cyclists from different start points across Britain and France.

Team Sapper have cycled together since 2009.

Gerry Taggart of Powick said: "We’ve passed on many generous donations, totalling over £100,000, to Help for Heroes. This year, so far, we’ve raised over £10,000, much of this from local people.

"For example, the Worcester Warriors v Army Rugby match in February raised over £4,000. Worcester Racecourse will again support us on August 19 at their evening, ladies’ race meeting, followed by a concert buy pop-group, James.

"The work of Help for Heroes continues long after conflicts are over. Many service people are suffering from long-term illnesses including the often hidden Post Traumatic Stress. The charity Combat Stress receives grants form Help for Heroes."

The Ladies Evening with James Live After Racing is on August 19. Tickets for the racing (which opens at 3pm) and the concert are £25 for adults and £10 for children. The concert in support of Help for Heroes itself begins at 8.30pm.

Best known for hits such as “Sit Down”, “She’s a Star” and “Laid”, James have achieved success in the UK and US.

To support the team visit www.justgiving.com/TEAM-SAPPER