204 FIELD HOSPITAL RAISE MONEY FOR ABF – THE SOLDIERS’ CHARITY

The members of 204 Field Hospital recently organised a charity cycle in order to raise funds for ABF – The Soldiers Charity. After all monies were counted a total of £2800 had been raised for the charity.

The cycle was over a distance of approx 60 km with a number of Control and Refreshment Stations along the route to ensure that all participants were accounted for. Members of 204, families and friends were all welcome to come along and take part in the day’s activity. True to promise, the weather was sunny, leaving no excuses for non-attendance.

The route commenced at Shaw’s Bridge near Hydebank Army Reserve Centre where 204 is based in South Belfast. From there, they cycled north along the River Lagan and Belfast Lough to the War Memorial Park at Whiteabbey and then back along the same route to Shaws Bridge. In the second part of the cycle route, participants travelled along the Lagan Towpath to Lisburn Civic Centre. Returning along the same route back to Shaw’s Bridge and Hydebank ARC.
 
At each stand location our Recruiting Team were on hand to offer military career advice to the public and help raise the profile of the Army Reserve in general, 204 Field Hospital in particular. Davy Forsey, Regional Director of ABF – The Soldiers Charity raised a team of volunteers to set up an ABF stand at Shaw’s Bridge offering coffee, snacks and ABF souvenirs to unsuspecting members of the public.

That evening a family BBQ was held in the Hydebank ARC which was well attended by cyclists, families and those who could not attend the event during the day. Despite the fact that the Eurovision Song Contest was being televised that evening, the event was blessed with good attendance and a generous crowd.

On behalf of 204 and ABF – The Soldier Charity, a big thank you must go out to all the volunteers who assisted at each stand, at the BBQ in the evening and to the participants WHO gave up their time and cash to take part in the day. To raise such a large amount with a limited pool of people is indeed praise-worthy.

A ballot was held which contributed to the amount raised with a very nice bike as the main prize. This was won by Cpl Una Armstrong.
 
 

 The photo above shows, from left, Cpl Armstrong, David Forsey and Capt Cairns