Forty cyclists left Kent yesterday on a two-day cycle trip to the Menin Gate in support of Royal British Legions Industries (RBLI).

The volunteers were sent off from the RBLI’s village in Aylesford by Hari Budha Magar, a former Gurkha soldier who lost both his legs in combat, but has since shown his resilience by climbing Mount Everest in May just gone.

The riders were a mixture of ex-servicemen, serving soldiers and admirers of the charity that provides accommodation and support for 300 struggling veterans, and even provides some with employment in Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, based at the village, making road signs.

The annual Ride With a Veteran event – a 150-mile cycle ride to Ypres in Belgium – is now in its sixth year.

Among the riders was Tirthraj Thapa, who also lost a leg in Afghanistan in 2010 while serving with the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

He now works in the Aylesford factory. He said: “This is my third year doing the cycle ride and it’s good to take on the challenge with a group of people who want to push themselves and enjoy the ride.

“I’m doing this for RBLI as it’s become a second family to me since I was wounded.”

“RBLI gave me a fresh focus and a second chance at life. After I was injured during Operation Herrick I didn’t know if I’d ever work again, walk, play golf, or cycle. Now I do all four.”

Escorted by motorcycle out-riders, their journey will take the riders to Dover, by ferry to Calais, then on to the Menin Gate, where they will lay wreaths to the fallen. The war memorial holds the names of 54,000 Allied servicemen killed in the First World War whose bodies were never found.

Using his experience climbing Everest, Mr Magar advised the riders to first visualise the task ahead of them and then to break the journey down into small sections and deal with each one in turn.

Lisa Farmer, chief executive of Royal British Legion Industries said, “It was another proud moment for RBLI as we all joined together to give the cyclists a great send-off.”

The KM Media Group is helping the RBLI to raise funds to increase its facilities at Aylesford through our Homes for Heroes Campaign.

Details of how to make a donation can be found here.

The riders are expected to arrive in Ypres on Sunday.