Published at 11:09, Thursday, 14 June 2012

A FRIZINGTON man has gone to the USA to help a cycle team made up of injured war veterans.

support: Roy Palmer

Roy Palmer, will be a support driver for the Help for Heroes ‘Battle Back’ team as they attempt to cycle 3,000 miles in the Race Across America.

A former sergeant, he got involved in the effort following the death of his wife last year.

“We have been through a lot of training for this,” said Roy, 56. “We will be driving no more than 15 metres (around 49ft) behind a cyclist. We will be his vision.”

Roy will drive behind the cyclists, with a navigator by his side, for eight-hour stints.

Help for Heroes uses cycling and other kinds of sport as a way to help injured ex-servicemen battle their way back to strength.

Roy is a former sergeant in the Royal Tank Regiment. He served in the first Gulf War and was awarded the British Empire Medal before he left the Army.

His son, Kris, is also a soldier. He has a daughter, Nikki Barnes, and three grandchildren.

He got involved with this project after his wife, Tricia, died from a brain tumour last year at the age of 50. They were both strong supporters of Help for Heroes and all of the proceeds from her funeral went to the charity.

“Friends said I should get involved,” said Roy, who works in the nuclear industry at Sellafield, and has raised £1,200 through his efforts.

The team will be sending updates at www.helpforheroes.org.uk, where people can also make donations.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk