Mike Roberts, Managing Director of PMG and Matthew Birtwell, Managing Director of Birtwells Trade Print, will cycle for three days through Normandy and tour the five D-Day beaches: Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah.
The ride marks the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings and remembers the sacrifices made by all those who fought in both World Wars.
“The Royal British Legion (RBL) is an incredible organisation, which advocates for individuals who have served and continue to serve. A significant number of veterans endure life-altering injuries, debilitating illnesses, mental health struggles, as well as difficulties with employment, housing, or finances,” explains Mike.
He continues: “The RBL provides ongoing assistance to active-duty and former military personnel. They work to ensure their sacrifices are acknowledged and offer them the necessary and rightful support they require.”
Matthew takes up the story and explains his personal connection to the fundraising campaign: “My wife’s grandfather, William Bromley, was part of the Normandy landings, he was a driver mechanic and drove a vehicle which pulled an anti-tank gun. He arrived in Normandy on D-Day 6, shortly after the initial offensive.
“He went into action at Arromanches-les-Bains Gold beach with a section of the Royal Artillery Anti-tank Regiment – the 59th division – then got separated from his division and had to join the 49th division and they took Le Havre and went through to Belgium and Holland.
“He was demobbed in September 1945 and returned to his police service at Lancashire constabulary. After he retired, he revisited the area on at least a couple of occasions on anniversaries with the Blackburn branch of the Normandy landings veterans and said he felt the need to revisit the area to show his respects to the friends he lost there.”
The Printers Pair and fellow riders will also cycle through key historical areas including Bayeux, Arromanches-les-Bains, Pegasus Bridge and Sainte-Mère-Église to honour the sacrifices made by all those who fought in both World Wars.
