Ex-soldier Andrew Hadlington is putting his hobby to good use.

Mr Hadlington took up cycling last February – 24 years after he left the Armed Forces.

Since then, he has taken part in three sponsored bike rides and is about to embark on his fourth.

The 47-year-old has signed up for the Hero Ride North Edinburgh to London race in aid of Help for Heroes, and will set off on the 450-mile journey on June 14.

It is expected to take seven days to complete.

Ten miles from Windsor, riders from around the country will unite for a service of remembrance at the Air Forces Memorial, marking the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary.

Participants then sweep through town on the final leg, past Windsor Castle to the family celebrations and barbecue at Windsor Race Course.

Mr Hadlington, who works as a delivery driver for Sainsbury’s at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, said: “I started cycling because I wanted to get in to some sort of fitness.

"I even joined Quick Release Cycling Club in Sittingbourne.

“Since then I’ve done a 100-mile bike ride for the Pilgrim’s Hospice in Canterbury last April; The Dragon Dash from Cardiff to London in aid of H4H in June last year and Ride London in August for the Micro and Anophthalmic Children’s Society (MACS).

“In total I raised about £1,800. This time my target is £1,700.

"So far I’ve raised £470 through a bucket at the Sevenoaks Sainsbury’s branch.”

The charity is close to the married dad-of-three’s heart.

He joined the Infantry 3rd Battalion The Queen’s Regiment, now known as The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, at the age of 16.

During six years service as a private he did tours of two-and-a-half years in Northern Ireland, six months in the central American jungle in Belize and four months in Fallingbostel in Germany.

He added: “I’ve seen lots of things during my service time – many wounded men and women. I just want to raise money to help all those who have been injured.”

To sponsor Andrew visit the website www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Hadlington