James joined his Parliamentary colleagues on Wednesday (8th November) to raise money for the Royal British Legion (RBL), by taking part in the seventh annual static bike ‘Poppy Ride’ in Parliament.
Organised by the Industry and Parliament Trust in association with the RBL, MPs and peers ride for as far as they can for five minutes on the bike, and James managed a distance of 2.86km to beat his distance of 2.71km last year!
The bike ride was part of a busy few days for James in commemorating those who have given their lives in combat for the UK. Earlier in the week he had planted a cross on behalf of Halesowen & Rowley Regis in the House of Commons’ Constituency Garden of Remembrance, and James also spent time the week before selling poppies with the RBL at the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Blackheath.
James laid a wreath at the Shell Corner Memorial Service on Friday (10th November), before attending the Voices in Harmony Concert of Remembrance on Saturday at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill. On Remembrance Sunday, James laid wreaths at memorial services in Rowley Regis and Cradley, whilst wreaths were also laid on his behalf in Halesowen, Cradley Heath and Quarry Bank.
“The annual Poppy Ride is always fun for my colleagues and I, and I was particularly pleased to have beaten my time from last year!", said James.
“Most importantly, the bike ride raises money for the RBL, who work so hard all year round to provide financial, social and emotional help to those in our Armed Forces community. Many service personnel leaving the armed forces often struggle to adapt to civilian life, and the RBL work hard to support them.
“Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are important days in our national calendar, and I was pleased to have the opportunity again this year to pay my respects, and ensure the sacrifices made by all those in combat are never forgotten.”
