Upavon Teams take on wheelie gruelling race for Help for Heroes
Training has begun in earnest for 36 people in Upavon due to take part in a six hour non-stop bike ride all in aid of Help for Heroes, the official charity which raises funds for wounded service men and women.
The race will take place in the gymnasium at Trenchard Lines in Upavon, Wiltshire, on Thursday 24th September. Six teams each made of up six military and civilian personnel will battle it out on static WebRacing™ bikes with the team which cycles the furthest winning the prestigious Help for Heroes WebRacing™ trophy.
Organiser, CSgt John Williams, stationed at Trenchard Lines explains more, "I have been serving in the British Army for the last 22 years and know just how devastating it can be to both forces' personnel and their families when serious and often debilitating injuries are sustained in the line of duty. There has never been a more important time to show our support to the brave men and women who risk their lives to ensure our freedom and I felt it was important to organise my own event in Upavon to give local people an opportunity to get involved in this very worthy charity."
The participants will be using state of the art WebRacing™ bikes to complete the race. The equipment uses cutting edge technology to allow the user to view a computerised version of themselves (an avator) on a virtual race track. As this image will be shown on a big screen in the gymnasium, onlookers will be able to watch the action as it unfolds, witnessing the participants’ progress in real time and cheering them on at exciting points in the race. View WebRacing™ here at Instyle Fitness YouTube Channel
Duncan Lawson from WebRacing™ said, "We were honoured when CSgt Williams approached us about getting involved in the Help for Heroes as it's such a great cause. The technology is designed to keep the user's mind off how hard they are working as they are drawn in by the lifelike scenery and the fact that they can see their opponents on the track. Hopefully these elements of entertainment and competition will keep the racers going for the whole six hours!"
The event starts at 10.30am and finishes at 4.30pm. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come along on the day to cheer on the teams. Refreshments and cakes will be available (with all proceeds going to Help for Heroes) and raffle tickets will be on sale until 12.30pm when the winning tickets will be drawn.
If you would like to sponsor the Trenchard Lines Help for Heroes team then please go to www.justgiving.com/webracing. Every pound makes a big difference so please show your support for our soldiers.
PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 2009
PHOTO CALL: To arrange an interview with the racers or the organiser or to take photographs of the teams in training please contact Mark Prevett, Positive Creative E: mark@positivecreative.co.uk, M: 0777 5688 419