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Western Front Way charity cyclists honour war dead

BBC Eight cyclists in lime green gilets and cycling gear, standing in the sunshine at kilometre zero in Switzerland BBC
The team travelled to Switzerland after leaving West Bromwich on Wednesday

Cyclists planning to pedal 1,000km (600 miles) through the World War One battlefields of France and Belgium have visited a historic site on the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland.

Kilometre Zero is the start of the Western Front Way, which stretches from the small Swiss border town of Bonfol to the Belgian coast.

West Bromwich fundraiser Dave Heeley, known as Blind Dave, is cycling the route on a tandem to raise money for The Albion Foundation, the charitable arm of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

The eight-strong Team Blind Dave hope to raise £80,000 for the foundation, with the ride due to end on 28 September.

bbc Eight cyclists on a road in the town centre approaching a roundaboutbbc
The cyclists travelled from Porrentruy on Friday morning to travel about 10 miles (16km) to Kilometre Zero
bbc Three male cyclists, two on a tandem, cycle on a town centre road in the sunshinebbc
Blind Dave's tandem partner is Steve Dugmore and their last fundraising ride in April 2022 involved a journey from Colditz Castle in Germany back to West Bromwich

The idea for the Western Front Way was inspired by Alexander Douglas Gillespie, who was killed in September 1915.

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlander had written letters highlighting his dream of creating a "Via Sacra", or Sacred Way, that people could walk to honour the fallen.

Maj Alan "Islay" Carmichael, chief executive of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regimental museum at Stirling Castle, is also taking part in the ride.

bbc Seated man with an army beret on and lime green gilet with Team Blind Dave emblazoned on itbbc
Retired major Alan "Islay" Carmichael spent more than 30 years serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

"I had to come on this, being a keen cyclist, and then having spoken to Blind Dave on the phone, he became an inspiration to me," he said.

"We are raising money for disabled chidren and inspiring them to go into sport. The whole thing is just inspiring."

A smiling man sits in a chair with lime green gilet on with Team Blind Dave emblazoned on it
Paul Mardon moved to West Bromwich Albion from Birmingham City in 1993 and spent eight years at The Hawthorns

Also part of the cycling team is former West Bromwich Albion and Wales central defender Paul Mardon.

"I started cycling about 10 years ago, so I would say I was a keen cyclist, but it's going to be a challenge, going to be great to be part of this team and very much looking forward to the challenge," he said.

Two cyclists on a country path surrounded by green trees, with sunshine coming through the canopy
Glorious weather greeted the cyclists on their first day in the Swiss countryside

During the trip, the cyclists will take a memorial cap to the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium in honour of former Albion player Harold Bache, killed in 1916.

"It's fantastic to show our respect to all those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War One.

"And to present the cap, it's a lovely thing that Albion do. I had my cap presented a couple of years ago, 661, and the cap that we're presenting is 234," Mr Mardon said.

Three men with bicycles and wearing lime green gilets, beside a stone border post
Former West Brom defender Paul Mardon with Jonathan Ward and Steve Meeson from the Albion Foundation at border marker 111, which was chosen to symbolise the start of the Western Front
Cyclists on a country track surrounded by green trees and patches of sunlight
The team of cyclists start the journey north through France on Saturday
Group of cyclists on a country lane, surrounded by trees
Blind Dave has raised more than £3m for charity with various exploits including seven marathons on severn continents in seven days. He's back in the saddle after two replacement knee operations

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