The Invictus Games Foundation is supporting 24 members of the We Are Invictus community in this year's Ford RideLondon-Essex event.
The Invictus Games Foundation is supporting 24 members of the We Are Invictus community in this year's Ford RideLondon-Essex event.
We have sponsored participants from Australia, Canada, Denmark, the UK, Colombia, Italy, Ukraine and the US to tackle either the 60- or 100-mile challenge of the biggest cycling event in London.
Steve McCulley has not competed at the Invictus Games but has engaged in numerous activities through our Beyond the Games Programme and is looking forward to the challenge Ride London presents. Steve said that the event will “give me a goal to focus towards and improve my health and wellbeing”.
Steve sustained serious injuries and was lucky to survive when three improvised explosive device (IED) blasts hit him in 2011 while on tour in Afghanistan. After spending three weeks in a coma and undergoing three years of surgery and rehabilitation, he set up LIOS bikes in Lee-on-the-Solent – named after his two children, Lily and Oscar.
Also taking on the 100-mile challenge is Martha Prinsloo, a member of Team UK at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. "I’m looking forward to the atmosphere at Ford RideLondon-Essex and being among other people doing what we love – sport – participating and encouraging one another.
“Taking part will help keep me motivated to continue helping others and make a difference where it is needed, proving that having a disability does not restrict you from participating," Martha said.
Francisco Pedraza Osorio from Colombia competed last year at Dusseldorf 2023 after he was injured in combat while serving with the National Army of Colombia on a hostage rescue mission. He said: “Being a member of Invictus Games community has allowed me to honour my country, Colombia. It’s allowed me to meet other wonderful soldiers of all nations; all of them are heroes. Being a member of the Invictus Team Colombia is an honour for me.”
Josh Boggi, Invictus Community Liaison Manager and a triple-amputee who was injured by an IED during the war in Afghanistan, has helped to coordinate the group taking on the 2024 Ford RideLondon-Essex. He said: “The Invictus Games Foundation is dedicated to helping more members of the international service community change their lives through incredible cycling initiatives such as Ford RideLondon-Essex. Cycling is a core sport of the Invictus Games, appearing at all editions of the Games since our debut event of London 2014, ten years ago.
“IGF Cycling plays a core part in our offering to the We Are Invictus community, which has more than 4,000 members, allowing us to heal more lives through the power of cycling. Ford RideLondon-Essex is one of the best cycling events in the world for members of the We Are Invictus community to utilise as part of their recovery.
"This year we have sponsored 30 individuals to take part and we will eagerly await the opening of the entries for 2025, as we want to share the incredible event that is Ford RideLondon-Essex with as many members of the We Are Invictus community as we can.”
If you are a member of the international wounded, injured or sick community, you can join the We Are Invictus platform and take part in events such RideLondon-Essex through our Beyond the Games programme.
If you would like to support the riders and the Invictus Games Foundation, you can donate to the individual fundraisers below.
Bubbybirk Storm Norlie Johannsen
Robert Grantham