The IAB charity of 2021
Charity Bike Ride
On Thursday 16th September our team of 7 cyclists left the IAB offices
to cycle to The National War Memorial in Lichfield.
Riding over 196 miles , climbing 10,500ft over 4 days.
We want to raise the much needed funds to help build an Education and Information Centre above Gold Beach in Normandy so that the next generation will learn about the D-Day Landings.
The Memorial, constructed on a hillside above Gold Beach, will be inscribed the names of 22,442 servicemen and women who lost their lives on D-Day and during The Battle of Normandy.
For many generations to come, people will be able to visit the Memorial to reflect and to remember.
Our aim is to raise money to build an education centre in order to educate the next generations so that no more wars will be fought.
Meet George Batts MBE Leg d’Hon
Patron, Normandy Memorial Trust
Normandy Veteran Patron George Batts MBE, Leg d’Hon.,
reflects on why the Memorial means so much to him and to those he left behind.
HELP US RAISE THE FUNDS
The Cycling Team
Fabian Hamilton
“I’ve been a keen cyclist for the past twenty years and every year I try to take part in a fundraising charity bike ride for a really good cause. I’m privileged to be the Honorary President of the IAB so I’m delighted to be riding this year with an outstanding team in order to raise money for the Normandy Memorial Trust’s project to build an education centre on Gold Beach. If we want to ensure that we can prevent future wars, then educating our children about the wars of the past, especially the Second World War, is vital. My late father fought for this country between 1942 and 1945 in the hope that a lasting peace could be established across the world. I believe that riding with the IAB for four days in September for such a good cause will help advance that ideal.”
David Taylor
"As someone who is fascinated by history and keen to educate today’s younger generations about the sacrifices made during the Second World War, I am delighted to be supporting the Normandy Memorial Trust and the work of George Batts. As a keen cyclist – I’ll already have been to France earlier in September – it’ll be an absolute pleasure to ride with the rest of the IAB team and help raise both funds and awareness of this worthwhile charity."
Caroline Metcalf
"Being a part of this event means a lot to me because I enjoy pushing myself and feel this bike ride will take me out of my comfort zone while raising funds and awareness for George Batts and all the other soldiers who took part in the D Day Landings. I feel we need to educate future generations so that we can learn the lessons of the past and that the D Day landings changed the course of the war."
Simon Jordan
"I'm joining the IAB team on this fantastic event because, George and his friends gave so much for our futures and the future generations need to know about what happened back then on Gold Beach, so it's the least I could do. Plus I love a good challenge
Grant Gibson
"As a survivor of the sinking of HMS Sheffield during the Falklands conflict and a former teacher, I am only too aware of the importance of education and reflection. We must continue to do our best to preserve the factual and literary images of the ultimate sacrifices those men and women gave before us. Thereby, allowing future generations to understand those sacrifices and consider their future decisions and choices.”
Angela Fisken
"The reason I am doing the bike ride: I was very moved by George’s story and because of him and many others I am able to enjoy the life and freedom that I have. We should never forget the sacrifice that the young men and women made so we can live a free life. I know the bike ride will be a challenge but I know I will have a real sense of achievement once it has been completed."
Sarah Palmer
"George is a very dear friend and I have a huge amount of admiration for him. He has worked tirelessly to instigate and raise the £20m needed to commission the building of the Normandy Memorial. In true George style he is not satisfied with this and now wants to insure that an Education Centre is built at the site so younger generations are fully informed and history is not repeated. While I am the novice rider of the group I am honoured to be involved with supporting such an important venture”
Lawrence Evans
"I am a keen cyclist so when Sarah Palmer invited me to participate in a 180 mile cycle to raise funds on behalf of George Batt MBE, a 96 year old Normandy D Day Veteran, I didn’t hesitate to agree. It is a privilege to join the IAB #teamgold in contributing towards George’s dream and the ambition of the Normandy Memorial Trust – to build an education centre above Gold Beach, Normandy. I am delighted to join in such a worthy initiative."
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