Ex-Para Chris Willmott is going the extra mile for veterans – attempting to ride 859 of them on a single speed 80-year-old bicycle.

His madcap adventure, retracing a route steeped in wartime history, starts from Auschwitz in Poland and ends in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

The solo cycle which starts on August 17 will see him slog 1,382 km (859 miles) ending at the site of Operation Market Garden.

His madcap mission is a feat of personal endurance and a powerful tribute to the memory of Allied soldiers and the sacrifices made for freedom.

Chris said: “This is more than just a ride. It’s about marking the path of liberation, remembering those who never made it home, and showing what’s still possible, even on something built eight decades ago.”

The vintage single-speed bicycle might represent a bygone era but it presents real problems. A recent inspection revealed it is barely roadworthy and unlikely to survive the full journey. Despite the warning, Chris is determined to press on.

His 17-day marathon route will see him pass through Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands, with stops in historic cities including Kraków, Wrocław, Berlin, and Magdeburg. 

It concludes on September 2 timed to coincide with commemorations for Operation Market Garden, the doomed offensive in which Allied soldiers failed to secure a bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem.

A highlight of the final leg will be a stop at the Glider Museum in Wolfheze, a tribute to the airborne troops and glider pilots of the Second World War. 

Chris, 64, said: “The bonds forged in service run deep, and the well-being of our veteran community remains close to my heart. That’s why I’m undertaking a significant personal challenge.

“This ride is more than just a physical feat; it’s a symbolic passage through the landscape of European history. Auschwitz stands as a stark reminder of the depths of human suffering and the vital importance of fighting for freedom and human dignity. Arnhem, the site of the heroic but ultimately costly Operation Market Garden, echoes the immense sacrifices made by Allied forces, including many airborne troops, for that very freedom.”

Chris is raising money for The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans which returns heroes to the battlefields.

He added: “As an ex-Para, the spirit of resilience and duty is ingrained within me. This cycle connects those historical sacrifices with the present-day needs of our veterans.

“The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans provides invaluable support, offering companionship, transportation to vital appointments, and a sense of community to those who have served our country. This journey from a place of immense loss to a place synonymous with the bravery of our airborne forces is my way of honouring the past while directly supporting the present and future of our veteran community

“This journey from a place of immense loss to a place synonymous with the bravery of our airborne forces is my way of honouring the past while directly supporting the present and future of our veteran community.

“Every km I pedal will be in dedication to their service and in support of the incredible work of the Taxi Charity.”

Chris is hoping to raise £5,000 for the charity. To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/chris-willmott-to-cycle-across-europe-for-taxi-charity