FEATURE
As a child Oliver had no keen interests other than flying this saw him spending many years in the Air Cadets and eventually joining the RAF. Unfortunately his promising career was short lived following a serious civilian attack. Oliver was medically signed off. However with the love, devotion and encouragement of his family Ollie has recovered from his injuries and loss of career. By completing this challenge Ollie feels he will be benefiting those who are not as fortunate as him. Inspired by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boormans ‘Long Way Round’, a motorcycle trip from London to New York via Europe and Asia. Ollie came up with the idea whilst serving in the RAF. His journey will see him motorcycle through countries such as Germany, Poland, Russia, Tailand, and Indonesia finishing in Melbourne, Australia. Ollie expects the journey to take roughly three months.
People will be able to track Ollie on his journey by following him on Twitter @ ridedownunder or on Facebook by liking his page UK 2 Oz. Local web design company Zinc Digital has offered to create a website (www.ridedownunder.
co.uk) which will also allow people to track Ollie’s progress and donate to Help the Hero’s. Ollie hopes to raise £100,000 by the end of his expedition.
Ollie Dedhur commented: “To be in a position to give back what has been given to me is an honour. Te support local businesses are coming forward with is inspirational and motivates me to keep going with this dream” Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq and provides direct, practical support to those injured in the current conflicts.
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Let’s get to know Ollie a bit more… Ollie Dedhar (pronounced ‘Dead-R’) is a keen motorcyclist and traveller who grew up in Wellingborough with his parents who are both motorcyclists. His dad, Shabu, rides an old BMW K75 and his mum, Etam hasn’t rode for years but has a Honda CB100 which is red and has a really big top box. It was only natural for Ollie to get his first bike when he was 3, a blue and yellow plastic trike, which he rode everywhere! Ten when he was 16 he bought his first bike with an engine…a Moto-Roma Runner 50cc scooter which could go up to 45mph on a steep downhill with the wind on his back and his head tucked into the handle bars.
8 years on, Ollie’s passion for motorcycling has continued to grow, he has served in the Royal Air Force and has travelled to over 20 countries. In July 2013 he will be riding a motorbike from the UK to Melbourne, Australia to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.
As a child, Ollie had always wanted to fly so his dad encouraged him to join the Air Training Corps (ATC) when he was 13. He spent 8 years with the ATC, working his way up through the ranks and then as an adult instructor to give something back. He had a number of achievements during his time there, such as being awarded a gliding scholarship, a flying scholarship, a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, he was chosen to be the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet of Northamptonshire ± w here he was able to meet members of the Royal Family such as Prince Charles and also the International Air Cadet Exchange ± w here he was able to spend some time in Hong Kong and China in 2008.
Ollie loved the insight the he got into the
Armed Forces & in 2011 he joined the Royal Air Force as a policeman.
Ollie loved the insight the he got into the Armed Forces and wanted more so in 2011 he joined the Royal Air Force as a policeman. However, this dream was short lived following a civilian attack during weekend leave. Ollie was medically downgraded and eventually discharged from service after only 6 months. Although he has now fully recovered from his
injuries and loss of career, there are members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured on operations overseas and their lives have been permanently affected. Ollie has a huge respect for the sacrifice these guys have made and for their determination to overcome anything so they can still live an active life. With the service Help for Heroes provides, this is possible for them.
Tings he enjoys - Motorcycling, off-road driving, walking, camping, travelling, trying different foods and also trying things that will scare the living daylights out of him, like bungee jumping.
His pet hates ± B ad drivers, cheese (unless it’s on a pizza or in a burger), shaving and receiving drunken phone calls in the middle of the night.
For any further information about ways to donate or support this fundraising event, please contact Ollie Dedhar, 07769 728228 or by email:
ridedownunder2013@gmail.com Photography courtesy: Wayne Lennon
www.r-magazine.co.uk
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