Worthing veteran recreates Normandy landings journey by bike, to help Care for Veterans

The 96-year-old former soldier is raising money for the hospital home, where he has lived since December.

He is cycling 104 miles, the distance from Portsmouth to Gold Beach, one of the five areas of the allied invasion of German-occupied France on June 6, 1944.

To support him, fellow resident and Normandy landings veteran Peter Hawkins has joined him on his quest.

To date, Len has covered 94 miles, so has just 10 miles to go before the 76th anniversary on Saturday, and Peter has done 90 miles.

Len said: “Although I’m 96, I still like to be doing something. I like to have a dance at the concerts they have sometimes. I have physio as well, which I really enjoy.

“I’m doing this challenge to help raise money for Care for Veterans because it’s a wonderful place. It’s going really well so far, hopefully I’ll finish on time.”

Having grown up in the Elephant and Castle area of London, Len joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a despatch rider when he was 20.

He and his wife were married in June 1944 and four days later, he was posted to Normandy, arriving on June 14, eight days into the operation.

Len was in Normandy through to the end of the invasion, then went to the Netherlands via Brussels and was part of Operation Market Garden in September 1944. From there, he was posted in Germany, and was there when the war ended.

Len came to Care for Veterans, in Boundary Road, in December last year as his walking had become unbalanced and he needed extra help following several falls at home.

He still loves dancing and the charity’s physiotherapists have incorporated this into his sessions, especially the Cha-cha-cha, his favourite.

Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, patron of Care for Veterans, sent this message: “Hello everyone. How wonderful of Len and Peter to do this for us. All charities, including our own children’s charity, are in trouble and it’s really heart-warming to know that there are lovely people who are willing to, literally, go the extra mile!

“Please pass on my warmest wishes to all of you at Care for Veterans. I well remember the lovely times when Virginia and I used to come to your garden party and chat with everyone. Dame Vera.”

Care for Veterans has provided care and rehabilitation to physically disabled ex-service personnel and their families since 1919. Len’s challenge comes at a time when the charity needs help the most, as due to Covid-19, many of its events and fundraising initiatives have been postponed or cancelled.

Len originally set a target for £500 but has increased that three times and is now just shy of the latest level, £6,000. Visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/lens-d-day-challenge to make a donation.

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