Kev tells of camaraderie among veterans after six-day fundraising cycle challenge
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A former soldier from Wick has helped raise thousands of pounds for a charity that supports veterans and wounded serving personnel by taking part in a six-day cycling challenge.
Kev Stewart was among a group of 10 who covered almost 400 miles across 14 counties in England in aid of The Not Forgotten. He said it was tough at times but the camaraderie made it a special experience.
The cyclists included veterans with physical injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from their time in the forces.
The Not Forgotten was founded in 1920, in the aftermath of World War I.
The challenge was billed as the Tour de Not Forgotten on a route designed to form the shape of the charity’s logo, an elephant’s head. It started at the grave of the founder, Marta Cunningham, in West Ealing, London, and continued to Portsmouth, Poole, Taunton, Bristol and Hereford before finishing at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The cyclists covered up to 95 miles in a day, although the overall distance was shortened from the original 475 miles because of stormy weather which brought winds of between 40 and 50 miles per hour.
"It was pretty tough going – there are quite a lot of hills down in that part of England," Kev (44) said. "What made it enjoyable was the camaraderie between us all.
"It was absolutely brilliant, all the different personalities, and we had all got our own experiences. It was such a joy."
The cyclists have raised more than £10,000.
Kev served in Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s with The Highlanders, leaving the regular army with the rank of lance-corporal. He then joined the Territorial Army and had two tours in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2003.
His experiences in Afghanistan left him with PTSD.
In July, Kev raised more than £1200 for the Royal British Legion by taking part in the three-day Pedal to Ypres challenge, cycling around battlefield sites and cemeteries in northern France and Belgium. He will be doing another three-day Legion cycling challenge next summer, this time in Normandy, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Kev was invited to take part in the Tour de Not Forgotten at short notice after one of the team members had to pull out.
"I feel truly blessed by God just to be doing these kinds of things and meeting veterans," Kev said. "It's really good for my mental health and at the same time making money for charity.
"We're all veterans and for a group that's suffered a lot through the military, between PTSD and physical injuries, there was so much positivity and light from everyone. It was amazing."
One of the participants in the Tour de Not Forgotten used a hand bike as his legs had been blown off from the knees down while serving in the forces.
"He is a double amputee so he cycled that whole trip just using just his arms," Kev explained. "On one of the steep hills he was really struggling.
"I was on the bike next to him using my motivational skills and one of the other boys, an ex-Royal Marine, got off his bike and started pushing him up. It was really good. We were all working as a team because we're only as quick as our slowest man."
Kev is studying for a Christian theology degree through the Highland Theological College in Dingwall. He is a committee member and flag-bearer for Legion Scotland's Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch.
The Not Forgotten provides a programme of social activities, outings, respite and challenge breaks for veterans and wounded serving personnel aimed at improving physical and mental health, addressing isolation and loneliness and promoting a sense of community and balance.
The Tour de Not Forgotten, which ran from September 18-23, was supported by Bikecation.
