1:00pm Sunday 14th March 2010
By Michael Pickard
Eight serving soldiers will cycle through Watford as part of a bike ride to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes.
With the backing of the English and Welsh Rugby Football Unions, the soldiers, from the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment, will cycle 1,000 miles between the stadiums of all 16 teams involved in this year's Anglo-Welsh Rugby Union Cup.
Saracens, who play at Vicarage Road Stadium, is one of those taking part.
Major Jim Lambeth, who is leading the Exercise Rhino Poppy challenge, said: "There are few people who, after serving in the Armed Forces for even the briefest time, haven't seen first-hand the work of Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.
"They are tremendous charities, supporting those in immediate need, and those and their families who need sustained support long after they've left the services.
"The cyclists are all serving soldiers and, along with a great many of our colleagues, we feel passionately about the vital work these two charities undertake. It's a privilege to be raising money for two such worthy causes."
The week-long trip, which starts today, will take the cyclists via Newcastle, Leeds, Stockport, Leicester, Northampton, Llanelli, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Gloucester, Worcester, Bath, Reading, High Wycombe, Watford and Twickenham.
They are due to arrive in Watford on Wednesday, March 17.
For more information, visit the Exercise Rhino Poppy website at sites.google.com/site/rhinopoppy/home.
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