A HOLSWORTHY man and former soldier is ‘gearing’ up for a charity ride around the UK mainland coastline on his vintage motorbike.

Colin Stinson, a former member of the Devon and Dorset Regiment, is fulfilling a promise he made to his late father by taking on the ‘Ride Out’. While doing so he will be raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) The Soldiers’ Charity, the National Charity of the British Army.

Mr Stinson’s father passed away in March aged 73. Mr Stinson said: “Prior to ill health he always enjoyed travelling around the UK and Europe. We spent the last few weeks talking about all the places we either had holidays at or visited.”

He said will be tackling the challenge — the best part of 5,000 miles — on his 1967 vintage Metisse Desert Racer motorcycle (the model that Steve McQueen famously tried to jump the barbed wire within The Great Escape) and hopes to complete it in around 25 days.

He will set off from Bideford Quay on Saturday, July 2, at around 10am.

Mr Stinson said he has owned the bike for just over two years and has ‘enjoyed every ride on it’.

He added: “Over the years I have visited most parts of the UK either whilst in the Army or as a Civilian and always thought we have the greatest coastline, so if I get the weather right am hoping to have the best ride out ever.

“I had a very full career in the Army and to me they are my second family. This Ride Out will give me a chance to give something back and help the Army family.

“At the moment I am doing this on my own but am on the lookout for a ‘man with a van’ for support. Some good weather would be nice and a bit of sponsorship would help too!

“I am just looking forward to getting it going and spending a month travelling around the coastline — what better way to spend some time off?”

Retired Colonel Robert Jordan, the regional director for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity said: “What Colin plans to do is fantastic — we are always hugely grateful when veterans like him want to give back and support their former comrades.”

You can follow Mr Stinson’s progress on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Metisse-Charity-Rideout-282127272120625/ or to donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ColinStinson