Royal Navy pair take on 2,000km cycle ride for military mental health 16 July 2021 Two Royal Navy officers will cycle from Land’s End to John O'Groats in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity to support military mental health. Stars and Spokes, made up of aircrew officers Commander Pascal Patterson and Lieutenant Commander Dan Waskett, will start the 14-day challenge on Sunday and will stop at military bases across the UK. Cdr Patterson, 39, and Lt Cdr Waskett, 38, originally planned to ride 5,000km across the USA but this has been postponed until next year. "I see this challenge as an opportunity to give back to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, organisations that have given me so much over the years,” said Cdr Patterson. “In particular, mental health is incredibly important for our personnel, it is vital that we collectively provide the necessary support to those who have been through so much. Hopefully the scale of our challenge will generate much needed awareness and funds for our charity." Lt Cdr Waskett added: "When Pascal suggested this challenge to support the RNRMC I leapt at the chance. They are a fantastic organisation who give so much back without question. “ A great friend of mine died in military service not long ago, the charity offered wonderful support to his family, during what was an incredibly difficult time. I see this ride as my way of saying thank you, and hopefully helping them in turn to help someone else in need." Next summer the pair, who both joined the RN on the same day in 2005, plan a 35-day ride from San Diego in California to St Augustine in Florida. To contribute to their fundraising visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/starsandspokes You can follow their journey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @starsandspokes I see this ride as my way of saying thank you, and hopefully helping them in turn to help someone else in need Lt Cdr Dan Waskett
