A MILITARY veteran from Tidworth is planning an extraordinary cycle ride to Spain to raise money for charity and to create links for the Royal British Legion.

Jon Knight, who owns a tailoring shop called Knights Tailoring, which is located on Station Road in Tidworth, is hoping to raise a total of £2,000 for the Royal British Legion.

On Tuesday, September 14, he began the extraordinary 1,300 mile trip to Alicante in Spain, which will take him a lengthy eight days from start to finish.

Along his journey, Jon, who served in the armed forces for 24 years, plans to stop off at Normandy to a lay down a poppy wreath at the British and Commonwealth War Memorial, to remember those soldiers who have fallen.

The memorial in Normandy records the names of the 22,442 service men and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944.

Jon hopes that the money he is able to raise will help those who have worked in the military, many of whom still suffer from the after effects today.

He said: “I want to help those that needs it the most but also to keep the memories of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice and those that suffer with both physical and mental illness every day.”

The 54-year-old will start the long journey by making his way to Portsmouth from his hometown of Tidworth. He will then board an overnight ferry to Caen in France.

He will cycle though France, laying his poppy wreath, unaided apart from stopping in some B&Bs along the way for some well-earned rest when he can.

Jon said that some days he will have to cycle at least 140 miles to complete the journey in his eight day target.

When he finally reaches the boarder of France and Spain he will be greeted there by a very familiar face, his brother Mark Knight.

Mark, who will be driving a motorhome, will be Jon’s companion for the final parts of the cycle ride to Alicante.

Jon will finally finish his extraordinary journey at Danny’s Bar in Campoverde, Alicante, where he plans to celebrate the successful ride and all the money raised for the Royal British Legion.

He has been overwhelmed with the support and encouragement he has received and hopes he will reach his target.

You can support Jon by visiting his fundraising page at: https://gofund.me/07a7daaf.