West Bromwich charity cyclists honour war dead on Western Front Way

Western Front Way charity cyclists honour war dead Cyclists planning to pedal 1,000km (600 miles) through the World War One battlefields of France and Belgium have visited a historic site on the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland.

Kilometre Zero is the start of the Western Front Way, which stretches from the small Swiss border town of Bonfol to the Belgian coast.

West Bromwich fundraiser Dave Heeley, known as Blind Dave, is cycling the route on a tandem to raise money for The Albion Foundation, the charitable arm of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

The eight-strong Team Blind Dave hope to raise £80,000 for the foundation, with the ride due to end on 28 September.

The idea for the Western Front Way was inspired by Alexander Douglas Gillespie , who was killed in September 1915.

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlander had written letters highlighting his dream of creating a "Via Sacra", or Sacred Way, that people could walk to honour the fallen.

Maj Alan "Islay" Carmichael, chief executive of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regimental museum at Stirling Castle, is also taking part in the ride.

"I had to come on this, being a keen cyclist, and then having spoken to Blind Dave on the phone, he became an inspiration to me," he said.

"We are raising money for disabled chidren and inspiring them to go into sport. The whole thing is just inspiring."

Also part of the cycling team is former West Bromwich Albion and Wales central defender Paul Mardon .

"I started cycling about 10 years ago, so I would say I was a keen cyclist, but it's going to be a challenge, going to be great to be part of this team and very much looking forward to the challenge," he said.

During the trip, the cyclists will take a memorial cap to the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium in honour of former Albion player Harold Bache, killed in 1916.

"It's fantastic to show our respect to all those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War One.

"And to present the cap, it's a lovely thing that Albion do. I had my cap presented a couple of years ago, 661, and the cap that we're presenting is 234," Mr Mardon said.