Visiting the Royal Hospital Chelsea a few months ago, I witnessed the best of humanity. The kindness and generosity of the veterans who reside there, the genuine empathy and interest of those I rode there with. It was a highlight of my year. But that was not all.
One of the people who rode with our group that day was Darren, the founder of Bike Tours for the Wounded. My readers will recall that I rode with Bike Tours for the Wounded in 2023, transporting a disabled veteran pillion around the sites and commemorations of D Day in Normandy. That is what Bike Tours for the Wounded Do. The tour was transformational, certainly for the beneficiaries, but also for me. To create lasting bonds and friendships for life, to be part of each others’ journeys, both geographical and emotional, to have a safe, supportive and respectful space to discuss past traumas, mental health, recovery, and the future was so good for everyone involved.
That tour prompted me to launch a fundraiser to fund a place for a disabled veteran on the following year’s tour of Normandy. It was £995, and we did it, thanks to the incredible generosity of my friends.
During this year’s visit to Royal Hospital Chelsea, Darren told me that Bike Tours for the Wounded, as part of the group of disabled veteran beneficiaries, would like to take four Chelsea Pensioners to Route 66 in 2026. Three of these people already have funding in place, but one does not.
“Be the change you want to be in the world”, Gandhi said. There are other wisdoms. “Think globally, act locally. “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” “You can’t do everything, but you can do something.” “If not us, who? If not now, when?” “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
That last one is Nelson Mandela.
I like another aphorism, spoken by Dr Martin Luther King Jr: “An injustice somewhere is an injustice everywhere”. Think about it.
And that is how I approach my community work, my charitable fundraising, volunteering, and whatever civic contribution I can make. We are shown a problem. Let’s contribute to a solution. If most people think that way, we can get a lot done.
I asked Darren how much it’d cost to enable a disabled veteran, a Chelsea Pensioner, to go on this life-changing, healing, respite tour. The answer came back: £2595.
That’s a lot of money.
A lot.
So, can we let this treasured person, who needs this respite, miss out?
With that, I launched one of our more ambitious fundraisers for a while. To raise £2595 to enable one person who has sacrificed so much, to heal. To ride, refocus, decide, as the Bike Tours for the Wounded motto goes.
I am asking one hundred of my friends to donate £26 each. That way we will reach the target.
And I am appealing to my readers. Let’s be the change. Let’s change the world for the better, together.
Please make a donation here: https://www.goodhub.com/go/antonbt4tw2026
It always seems impossible until it’s done.
Blac Ridere 