Military veterans take on epic 1,000 mile cycle ride to highlight issues of leaving the forces

Rob Dennison (left) pictured with Andy Price (centre) and Gav Corlos (right)
Sophie Williams26 June 2018

A group of veterans are cycling 1,000 miles to raise awareness of the difficulties soldiers face after leaving the military.

The group set off on Monday and will be travelling from Edinburgh to Lincoln, sitting down for coffees with veterans and serving soldiers along the way.

They are hoping to raise over £20,000 to go towards charities that help veterans.

The trip was Rob Dennison’s idea. The former veteran and founder of 50cal Coffee Company.

The group set off from Edinburgh on June 25 and are heading to Lincoln

He said: “Since leaving a few years back, I found myself unfocused and unable to settle. Readjustment into civilian life was a real struggle and I coasted from job to job not really knowing what I wanted to do, or even really what I could do. “

Mr Dennison said that he set up his coffee business to help bring purpose into his life and in the process, he “discovered a vehicle to actually do something to help veterans – sharing a coffee with a few guys” which he says made it easier to open up and talk on an emotional level.

The coffee company founder is being joined by a few other veterans on the 22-day journey.

Gav Corlos will cycle the entire route with Mr Dennison while Paul Levins and Andy Price will join them for parts of the route. The men have never met each other before.

Along the way they will visit veterans and serving soldiers for a coffee and chat and share updates on their Facebook page, around the country in 80 coffees.

Money raised from the mega trip will go to The Veterans Hub, The Tommy Atkins Centre and Who Dares Cares charities.

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