Devon man to ride length of country for charity

A software engineer, from Cullompton, is to retrace a Land’s End to John O’ Groats journey he undertook with his late father, to raise funds for a military charity and to spread his dad’s ashes.

Stuart Douglas, 42, was joined by his dad, Iain, in 2008, on a 1,014-mile motorcycle trek by A and B roads, as the latter possessed only a licence for a 125cc bike. The journey raised more than £1,200 for the British Heart Foundation – a charity chosen because Iain had suffered a mild heart attack in 2006.

Now, Stuart has chosen to commemorate his father’s military service by raising much-needed funds for Help for Heroes. Iain joined the Royal Marines aged 18 and served for more than 10 years, including a spell with the Special Boat Service (SBS), and Stuart hopes his motorcycle odyssey will help support veterans in need.

He explained: “This journey is my way of honouring my father and our unforgettable ride together, while once again raising funds, only, this time, in aid of Help for Heroes. I’ve called it ‘Riding 4 Troops’.

“My preparation has been mainly about losing weight on the bike and losing weight myself as well. I’ve lost 30kg over the last six to eight months and I’ve been trying to trim back the bike, as well, to make it as lean as possible.

“I put the fundraising target at £1,000, but I’d like to raise more than that. I don’t know if I’m doing it right or not, but I’m struggling to get donations, really. I’ve got quite a small circle of friends and family, so I’m trying to push it out via my YouTube channel and bits and bobs through the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF).”

Stuart added: “I want to do it, not just for Help for Heroes, but for my dad and me, which is why I’ve chosen to do it by myself, because I think it’s going to be really emotional.

“I know saying I want ‘closure’ sounds cliched, but I’m hoping to make some new memories from my previous memories. I’m going to stop at some places that dad and I stopped previously. And I’m going to stop somewhere to scatter his ashes. I’m hoping to do it at the Commando Memorial, in Scotland, because we stopped there in 2008.

“Doing this has ignited a spark to do more rides for Help for Heroes and I’m currently planning one across Malaysia for 2027.”

The ride begins on 3 May, at Land’s End, and will wind through the West Country, Wales, the Lake District, the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, before climaxing at John O’Groats on 8 May. His 625cc bike will be sporting a Help for Heroes flag and will be instantly recognisable.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The Charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. It has already supported tens of thousands - and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.   

The Charity supports veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.   

---To find out more about Stuart’s ride, or to sponsor him, please visit riding4troops.co.uk. If you’re a veteran in need of support, visit  helpforheroes.org.uk.