A FORMER Army staff sergeant from Church Crookham, conquered the Prudential RideLondon last month.

Steve Eley, took on the 100-mile challenge on Sunday July 31, to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women.

The 59 year old felt it was his duty to raise money and awareness for the charity after serving in the army for 22 years, and his total fundraising so far amounts to nearly £500.

The race started in London and across 100 miles cyclists made their way through the British countryside before ending up back in the capital, with Steve saying: “I was itching to get started and once we got going the first 10 miles swept by.

“I even found three other Blind Veterans UK cyclists and we chatted along the way.”

During the race, there were some crashes, as well as one casualty, meaning some of the route was diverted for the cyclists, but the Church Crookham local was full of praise for organisers in dealing with the incidents.

“The Pyrford Church along the route made riders feel welcome when the race halted. They really looked after us by giving hundreds of cyclists water and let us use their facilities. It lifted our spirits and a massive thank you to them.

“There was a bit of a false lull thinking the hills were done but then at mile 91 we got to Wimbledon and had to switch gears again.

“All in all the event was brilliant and it was a fantastic experience to cycle on closed roads.”

Following the mammoth incline in Wimbledon, Steve finished the 100-mile cycle in six hours and 34 minutes, where he celebrated rather modestly with “a cup of tea and a slice of pizza”.

The former member of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers has served in Germany, Belize, Canada, Cyprus Northern Ireland and The Balkans, and still works closely with the army as part of the defence contract system for Babcock International.

When talking about his passion for raising money for Blind Veterans UK he said: “I have personally seen members of my own Corps and the Armed Services affected by the loss of their vision and I know the good work this charity does for vision-impaired veterans and I am hoping to raise even more than I already have.”

To support Steve’s cause in raising money for his selected charity, visit justgiving.com/Steve-Eley5 or text BVSE99 followed by any amount to 70070.