Friends take on Western Front Way to honour old primary school's First World War heroes

ITV News

3 days ago

ITV Granada Reports journalist Andrew Fletcher has been speaking to the cyclists preparing to take on the Western Front Way.
Three childhood friends are undertaking an "epic" charity cycle challenge to visit the war graves of fallen soldiers from their old school.
Colin Higham, Kevan Ball and Rob Taylor will cycle 634 miles along the route, with Russell Jones providing support, to pay their respects to 16 of the 24 former pupils who died in the First World War.
Their names are etched on a remembrance stained glass window inside Rivington and Blackrod School's chapel in Horwich, near Bolton, where the friends, now aged 65, once attended.
The retirees have been preparing to take on the Western Front Way - a 620 mile trail that follows the historic frontline of World War One, stretching from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border.
Colin was struck by the idea after reading The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way, which describes the footpath on No Man's Land - the perilous strip between opposing trenches where many soldiers lost their lives.
He said: "We have done a lot of research into these boys. The last grave we're going to visit on the way is a boy whose brother also died on the Western Front and his father was the headmaster at this school.
"We're hoping the children in the school now will relate to these stories and we can all learn a lesson of what happened during that terrible time."
The cyclists say they are committed to ensuring that their local heroes are remembered and honoured.
"This challenge is about more than just a cycle ride," said Kevan Ball, a veteran who served for four decades in the British Army.
"It's a journey of remembrance, honouring the memory of local heroes and supporting vital charitable causes that continue to make a difference in our community."
The entire expedition will be self-funded and all donations will be distributed between a several charitable organisations including The Royal British Legion, Children In Need and St Ann's Hospice.
They will leave home on Monday, 2 June, before beginning the ride in Basel on Wednesday, 4 June.