Melksham woman’s hero ride

A MELKSHAM woman took part in the Help for Heroes’ 2013 hero ride in London on Sunday 2nd June.

Diana Malling, who works at Sainsbury’s, Melksham store, joined almost 1,500 other riders to show their support for the charity.

The ride in London was ten miles long, from Blackheath to the Mall, near Buckingham Palace.

However, many riders cycled from destinations around the country and Europe to make the start time at Blackheath. This included many riders who left Tidworth in Wiltshire at 2.00am on the day and another 300 riders who departed from Paris earlier in the week.

Riders wore different colours and were positioned to form the Help for Heroes medal.

Diana said, “Taking part in the Hero Ride was awesome and inspirational.

“Due to the murder of the soldier the week before the event, the decision was taken to keep everybody together as one peloton. Getting us all lined up in our colours was time consuming, but eventually we were ready to go.

“People turned out in force to clap, cheer and show their support.  After stopping for a service by the Women of World War II Monument, we finally arrived on the Mall where we formed the Help for Heroes medal in our coloured T-shirts, with Buckingham Palace as the backdrop.

“It was a very emotional day and one I am very proud to say I was a part of and will certainly never forget.”