Cycling into Battle: Remembering the Fallen at Waterloo
As part of our ongoing working partnership with Fortem Solutions, we were proud to support their participation in an epic five-day challenge that is combining endurance, remembrance and fundraising for an incredibly important cause.
Across five days and 500km, a team of 35 riders travelled from Dunkirk to Waterloo, passing through places steeped in military history and remembering those who served and sacrificed, while raising money for The Veterans’ Foundation to support veterans, serving personnel and their families today.
Day Three: A Journey Through History
Day three of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and its amazing partners' five-day ride brought the cyclists to one of the most significant stops of the entire journey: the battlefield of Waterloo.
Waterloo needs little introduction. On 18 June 1815, the Duke of Wellington led Allied forces to a decisive victory over Napoleon Bonaparte, bringing an end to more than two decades of conflict that had torn Europe apart.
It was a battle won not just through strategy and military leadership, but through the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of ordinary soldiers. More than 50,000 men were killed or wounded in a single day.
Standing at Waterloo more than 200 years later, it is impossible not to reflect on the human cost of conflict. Places such as this serve as a powerful reminder of why we remember, and why supporting those who serve remains so important.
That is exactly why the team is making this journey — cycling into battle, in our own small way, to fight for those who once fought for us.
Remembering Those Who Served
At the Lion’s Mound, which overlooks the site of the 1815 battle, the riders paused to remember the thousands of soldiers who fought and lost their lives there.
It was a poignant moment during an already challenging ride, bringing the purpose behind the miles into sharp focus. While the cyclists face their own physical challenge across 500km, the significance of the places they are travelling through provides a much deeper perspective on endurance, courage and sacrifice.
The ride is about more than reaching the finish line. It is about remembering the past while helping to make a difference to those who serve today.
Aiming to Break the £100,000 Barrier
This was the third annual charity cycle ride, and each year the team has pedalled harder, travelled further and raised more than the year before.
In 2026, they are aiming for a landmark milestone: breaking the £100,000 barrier for The Veterans’ Foundation.
The Veterans’ Foundation provides vital grants to charities and projects that directly support veterans, serving personnel and their families — people who have given so much in service to our country.
Every pound raised can help make a real difference, supporting organisations that provide practical assistance, improve wellbeing and help those who have served to build positive futures beyond their military careers.
We are incredibly proud to support Fortem Solutions and everyone taking part in this year's challenge. Their determination, commitment and willingness to push themselves for such an important cause is genuinely inspiring.
Thank you to everyone taking part, supporting the riders and helping to keep the spirit of remembrance alive — while making a positive difference to the lives of veterans, serving personnel and their families today.