Team Blind Dave completed their mammoth 1000km cycle across the Western Front Way on Saturday, with ‘Blind’ Dave becoming the first blind man to do so.
Dave was joined by a host of staff members from The Albion Foundation and partners through Switzerland, Belgium and France, following the Western Front Way to raise money for the club’s charity partner.
The team paused at several points to honour those lost during the First World War, and their sensational feat finished fittingly at the Dunkirk Memorial in France, the site of the Battle of Dunkirk.
Dave, who completed his first European cycling challenge since two replacement knee operations following his Escape from Colditz ride in April 2022 – was elated to complete the feat.
"It's been an incredible challenge,” Heeley said. "At some points, it was simply impossible to ride our bikes due to the mud and we encountered many sections that were rocky surfaces, so very difficult to ride on.
"It's been an amazing experience for us all and I'm so proud of the lads and so thankful to them for supporting the challenge. There are no words really to describe what it's been like this week visiting all these immaculate cemeteries with so many soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Deputy Director of the Foundation, Jonathan Ward, one of two members of staff to ride the entire distance with the group, and says the experience was an incredible one.
“I’m delighted that we’ve all managed to complete this feat,” Ward said. “I still can’t believe that we’ve done it, it sounded like an impossible task and certainly felt that way at times.
“I’m filled with pride for the whole team, we know that this will help so many people in the local area. Dave in particular has amazed me once again, to become the first blind man to complete this route is testament to him as a person.
"We found plenty of pause for thought throughout the trip as we paid respect to those lost during the First World War. It was very poignant and we felt it was important to do that.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support throughout, and for their generosity in supporting our community work. I’d also like to share my appreciation for our support team for their efforts across the week.”
Steve Meeson, Events Coordinator at the club's charity partner, believes the journey was another memorable one.
“Another epic bike ride along with Blind Dave and guys from the Foundation," Meeson said. "I loved going through different terrains and countries.
"We got people coming up to us in Switzerland and France asking us what we were doing, why we were doing it.
"For the first couple of days, it was just idyllic. It was great weather. We were riding through vineyards and stopping to pick grapes, which was nice, and just generally making really good progress.
"Some of the navigation was tricky after that, with the route taking us through a lot of forest tracks and along muddy canal banks. It was tough for people with skinny road bike tires and for the tandem particularly, but everybody covered every mile."
You can still donate to Team Blind Dave following their incredible Western Front Way Challenge by clicking here.