A team of daring Fife men have embarked on a mighty fundraising cycling challenge to the Somme battlefield in France.
Departing from Sainsbury’s in Leven on the morning of Armed Forces Day, the Cycle of Remembrance will see the team raise vital funds for armed forces charity Poppyscotland.
They will also lay a wreath at the grave of First World War Victoria Cross winner Robert Dunsire from Buckhaven.
The men aim to arrive in France in time to attend the anniversary commemoration ceremony at the Somme on Friday.
Team members, known as the Flying Fifers, are from the Levenmouth area and have raised more than £11,000 for Poppyscotland so far this year.
They have been raising funds for the charity since 2013 when two of their number, Sandy Cunningham,49, who works for Scottish Water, and veteran Thomas Bremner, 43, formerly of the Royal Corps of Signals, successfully completed the first Cycle of Remembrance from Leven to the Menin Gate in Belgium.
Combined with other fundraising, the pair raised an incredible £20,000.
New to the team are Sandy and Thomas’s friends, John Duffin, 49, who works at Diageo, and Mark Young, 48, from Scottish Water.
The four will be in safe hands with their support driver Steven Bone, 35, who was also on the first challenge.
Thomas said: “This year sees the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and we thought it would be fitting to commemorate this significant anniversary as part of our challenge.
“We are continually trying to raise funds for Poppyscotland, a charity which looks after our servicemen and women who, for whatever reason, find themselves in need of help when they leave the armed forces.”
The men also wanted to commemorate someone locally who had served in the First World War.
Sandy said: “The Methil Heritage Centre was trying to get recognition for a local man, Robert Dunsire, who won the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Loos.
“He was sadly killed in action at Mazingarbe, France, and is buried there.
“We will be laying a wreath at Robert’s grave as a tribute.”
Marianne Craig, events fundraiser at Poppyscotland, said: “We extend a huge thank you to the Flying Fifers.
“Their significant fundraising achievements over the years have meant that we are able to deliver even more life-changing support to those in the armed forces community who need it most.”
To donate to the challenge go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/flyingfifers2015
