A Hampshire veteran, who served in the South African Army, will be taking part in the Andover Cyclethon on Sunday, September 12, to raise money for an armed forces charity

Quentin Bellingham, 48, is among the many cyclists who will be taking on the Andover Cyclethon – an 80km mountainbike ride on and around Andover’s byways and cycleways.

Quentin is raising money to support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The Cyclethon, organised by Rotary Club of Andover, starts and ends at Thruxton Race Circuit and involves a 1,200 metre climb to add to the challenge.

Quentin, who served in the South African Army as a signalman in the 1990s, has chosen to raise funds for SSAFA, having heard about its support to serving and retired Forces personnel and their families.

Quentin, who grew up in South Africa, now lives in Grately, Hampshire. He works as a product manager for an international neurology systems manufacturer.

Quentin said: “I have two reasons for taking on the Cyclethon – firstly, it's a personal challenge, never having ridden this far off-road before, and secondly to give me a chance to raise money for a very worthy cause.

“During my South African Army service, I saw for myself how much help members of the military need when transitioning back to civilian life.

“Since moving to UK in 2007, I’ve become very aware of the marvellous support SSAFA gives UK’s Armed Forces community, both serving and retired, as well as their families.”

You can support Quentin’s fundraising efforts at justgiving.com/fundraising/quentinb-ssafa.

The Andover Cyclethon is still looking for more cyclists. Contact organiser Chris Lynn on christopher.lynn36@gmail.com (tel 01264 396511) for more details.

To learn more about SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, visit ssafa.org.uk.