AN RAF veteran from Hook has pledged to keep cycling for as long as he is receiving donations, some 15 months after setting out on a charity cycle ride.

Simon O’Brien, known as OB, has cycled more than 3,000 miles since May 2020, with the aim of raising £5,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

OB, who served at RAF Odiham for part of his 34-year Royal Air Force career, had initially planned to cycle between London and Brighton in May last year, before that was cancelled.

But he did not want to let that get in the way of his fundraising, and has several events lined up for the rest of the year.

The 57-year-old said: “I’ve always been an active cyclist and in May 2020, I decided to begin tracking my cycles to raise money for SSAFA. I initially set a fundraising goal of £1,000, but quickly increased this to £5,000.

“SSAFA provide a lifetime of support to the Armed Forces community, and this is a chance to give something back for their unfaltering support.

“For me, there isn’t a reason to stop cycling or fundraising anytime soon – I’ll continue to cycle for as long as the money keeps coming in!”

“SSAFA was a comfort to me and my family. They were there to support us when we needed them most.

“Firstly, at RAF Benson and then again at RAF Odiham to support the family through an illness. They provided us with invaluable support, including emotional and financial, that meant we had one less thing to worry about during some challenging times.”

Included on Simon's schedule is the London-Brighton 55-mile cycle, which takes place today, as well as the London to Paris cycle in June 2022.

You can support Simon at https://bit.ly/398yomu.