Fundraiser-extraordinaire ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley will cycle the Western Front Way to raise money for The Albion Foundation later this month.
Dave will lead a team of riders on the 1000km journey through France and Belgium, via the Menin Gate, where they will pause to remember all those lost during the First World War.
For good measure – and as if that wasn’t enough – they will then cycle to Dunkirk, France, the scene of the infamous Second World War allies’ evacuation, completing an epic and emotional tribute to the fallen soldiers of both world wars.
Team Blind Dave hopes to raise £80,000 for the Albion Foundation during their week-long journey, from Saturday, September 21 to Saturday, September 28.
To sponsor Team Blind Dave on their epic adventure for The Albion Foundation, click here.
The Albion Foundation is the official charity partner of West Bromwich Albion Football Club. Its vision is to create a proud Albion family who are engaged, inspired and achieving their potential, using the power of football to deliver a measurable difference in the local community.
‘Blind Dave’ Heeley is an internationally recognised fundraiser who is the first Blind athlete to have completed multiple endurance challenges.
In 2008 he became the first blind person to complete ‘777’ – running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.
Three years later, in 2011, he ran a marathon and cycled 100 miles for 10 consecutive days, completing Top 2 Toe, a 1,000-mile journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
And in 2015 he took on the Marathon de Sables (MdS) – a gruelling, 156-mile run across the Sahara Desert.
In total, he has raised more than £300,000 for The Albion Foundation.
Ahead of his latest challenge, ‘Blind Dave’, said: “It has been the honour of my life to raise funds for The Albion Foundation, a charity which conducts much-needed, life-changing work in our local community.
“Cycling the Western Front Way will be an emotional journey in which we’ll pay tribute to all those lost during the tragedy of the two world wars.
“We’ll pay our respects during the ride and I’m sure there will be a few tears shed as we pass along the route. To take the tragedy of war and make some good from it by raising money for the foundation all these years later is really important to me.”
Director of The Albion Foundation, Rob Lake, added: “Dave has always gone above and beyond for the charity and we are incredibly proud of his achievements. To date he has raised over £300,000 for the foundation and his individual contribution to the local community is second to none.
“To take on this challenge having undergone two full knee reconstructions is testament to a man we are incredibly fortunate to have represent us.
“We wish Dave and his team of riders all the very best for the ride and look forward to welcoming them back to The Hawthorns afterwards.”
Team Blind Dave would like to place on record its thanks to the following sponsors:
- Pertemps
- West Bromwich Albion Football Club
- Holiday Lounge
- David Manners Group (DMG)
- Engage
- Hopton Engineering Ltd
- WM Safari Park
- Toms Fund
- CPC Civils
- Bache Pallets
- Hollywood Monster
- KrimzKramz
