Bike ride fundraiser for bereaved family of Shropshire soldier
School friends of a Shropshire soldier killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan have set off on a charity bike ride to raise money for his baby son.
Royal Marines Captain Eddie Porter and Met Police Constable Chris Bramley went to school with Rupert Bowers, of Moreton Corbet, near Shawbury.
Captain Bowers, 24, of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, died after he stepped on a bomb while on routine pat-rol in Helmand on March 21 last year.
His friends have now headed out on a 500km (310 mile) bike ride to support Captain Bowers's widow, Vicky, and their son, Hugo, born a few weeks before his father's death. They will also raise money for Winston's Wish, a charity supporting bereaved children.
Captain Porter, who was shot in Afghanistan 18 months ago, has only just learned to walk again.
The 26-year-old said: "Having been shot through the pelvis I will find this 500km quite a challenge. Rupert was a fantastic friend and role model to us."
The pair set off from Old Swinford Hospital School, in Stourbridge, this morning and are due to complete their ride on Saturday. They will cycle to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Headley Court, Surrey, back up to Lichfield, where Captain Bowers' Regimental headquarters were based, and then back to the school.
To donate to the Hugo fund, send a cheque payable to Old Swinford Hospital to Help for Hugo, c/o Mr Peter Jones, Headmaster.
For more information, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/eddieporter
