7 November 2016
Poppy Appeal

On Wednesday 2 November local MP James Cleverly, the Director General of The Royal British Legion and over 80 other Members of Parliament raced against the clock on an exercise bike to raise money for The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.

The 12 hour bike ride was held from 08:00 to 20:00 in Portcullis House, Parliament and aimed to raise money for the Legion’s national Poppy Appeal. James Cleverly represented his local constituency by cycling as far as he could in 5 minutes, with the hope of topping the leaderboard and beating last year’s winner David Davies, MP for Monmouth in South Wales, who cycled an impressive 2.46 miles in 5 minutes. James Cleverly managed to cycle 2.05in five minutes.

The bike ride was organised by the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) in association with The Royal British Legion and follows on from the successful bike ride held in 2015 (where 77 MPs and Peers cycled a total of 128.8 miles in 12 hours). 

Members of the Welsh Assembly also undertook the same challenge as the two legislatures aimed to collectively cycle the distance from Westminster to the Somme in France**, to mark this year’s centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

MPs were encouraged to donate as they took part, with all of the money raised on the day going to help The Royal British Legion provide lifelong support for the Armed Forces community. The Central Parliament Poppy Appeal is the only charity that can fundraise in Parliament. 

James Cleverly said: 

“I would like to thank the Industry and Parliament Trust and The Royal British Legion for arranging this brilliant event. The Royal British Legion provides invaluable support to our Armed Forces community; I am pleased to have been able to support such a worthy cause. “

Nick Maher, CEO of the IPT said:

“The work of The Royal British Legion is essential to the lives of so many families across the UK and I am delighted that James was able to support us in our efforts to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. The support and enthusiasm from parliamentarians this year has been fantastic.”