World famous former Royal Marine congratulates GM Fundraising and Dekko Window Systems on Poppy Ride

October 13, 2014

Mark Ormrod, the world-famous former Royal Marine that became the first British triple amputee in the Afghanistan conflict, has congratulated GM Fundraising and Dekko Window Systems for their recent fundraising efforts.

GM Fundraising, the well-known industry charity that has raised over £1.15m for Life Limited Children based charities, recently embarked on a cycle ride in order to raise money for the Royal British Legion. The main sponsor for the ‘Poppy Ride’ was Dekko Window Systems, with Dekko managing director and veteran GM Fundraising supporter, Gary Torr joining the team of 17 riders and 4 support crew in a journey from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to the battlefields and Memorials of the Somme, France.

Mark Ormrod, who lost three limbs when serving in Afghanistan and has since raised substantial sums for military charities himself; was impressed by the efforts of GM Fundraising and Dekko and wanted to offer his congratulations.

He said: “It’s always extremely humbling to see the great lengths that people will go to in order to help others in their time of need. As a former member of the British Armed Forces, I have a particular passion for military charities, not least because myself and my family have been beneficiaries of the great work that they do. The Poppy Ride by GM Fundraising and Dekko looks exactly that, and I know that the Royal British Legion and the other charities benefiting will be hugely grateful of the selflessness of the competitors.”

GM Fundraising is well known for its gruelling endurance events and the Poppy Ride was no exception. Starting their journey at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire, the riders stopped off at Milton Keynes, the Cenotaph in Whitehall for a remembrance service and Dartford before arriving at Dover to take the ferry to Calais. They then cycled 75 miles to Arras before embarking on a 55-mile loop around the battlefields of the Somme. A two-minute silence was observed at the Arras Memorial to commemorate 34,785 soldiers of the forces of the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand, with no known grave.

Dekko managing director Gary Torr commented: “2014 marks the 100 year anniversary of the start of the First World War and it was GM Fundraising Team Member and MD of Business Micros, Graeme Bailey, who came up with the idea to embark on an event to remember the fallen. As the nation’s custodian of remembrance, the Royal British Legion was the ideal organisation to receive the funds. The event was tough, but we all really enjoyed it and were glad to raise money for such a good cause. It was kind of serial fundraiser Mark Ormrod to show his support and everyone at GM Fundraising wishes him well in his future fundraising events.”

Mark Ormrod is the author of Man Down, a book about his experiences in the Royal Marines and rehabilitation from his injuries, and has since carved out a successful career as a motivational speaker.

Watch the Poppy Ride video here: