Brothers join up to travel the length of the UK in wheelchair trek for the memory of fallen soldiers

Krupnick Campbell attorney Mike Ryan rides in support for brother Rick as his brother travels more than 900 miles in an arm-powered wheelchair in a world record time

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, July 29 -- "I ride because I can." That's the mantra of attorney Mike Ryan, a partner at the law firm of Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman McKee, who is riding in support for his brother Rick in what is hoped to be a world record wheelchair event across the length of the United Kingdom in 8 days.

Rick Ryan, an injured U.S. Navy Pilot, will be using an arm-powered wheelchair to travel from Land's End, England to John O'Groats, Scotland, a route that is over 900 miles, to raise money for four important charities in memory of fallen soldiers who have lost their lives during the conflict in Afghanistan. Brother Mike, riding a bicycle alongside in support for the entire ride, will be providing important moral and physical support as Rick attempts to complete the journey (over 1,400 kilometers) in just 8 days.

"Despite his injuries and being medavac'd from the Middle East, my brother has never forgotten how much more others have sacrificed. My brother is powered by the memory of fallen colleagues and the sacrifice of those who have survived with incredible injuries," said Mike Ryan. "For me," added Mike, "I have never ridden a bike 100 miles in a month, but this is a cause that I know I must support. I may be his brother by blood but many of those soldiers to whom he has dedicated this ride are also his brothers at heart."

In April, Mike and his 11-year-old son traveled to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in the Landstuhl, Germany to visit his brother and volunteer at the U.S. Military hospital. Landstuhl Medical Center is the primary medical facility for those injured in the Middle East who have severe injuries and need higher-level care before being transferred to U.S.-soil medical facilities. "My son and I saw every day the sacrifice of young men and women serving in harm's way. Their sacrifice and recognizing the pain endured by families who have lost loved ones makes whatever pain we are going to endure over the 8-day trek insubstantial," explained Mike. "It is hard to describe, however, what a difficult summit Rick is about to climb, doing this entire trip in a wheelchair. With his leg still undergoing surgeries, and powered only with his arms, this is so physically demanding for Rick each day it will require every ounce of strength and endurance to succeed," added Mike.

According to Rick Ryan's website, www.rideforremembrance.org, this event is dedicated to the Riflemen and Marines of The Rifles (UK) and the three US Marine Expeditionary Forces who have fallen in this summer's fighting in Afghanistan. In 2006, Rick raised nearly $50,000 in his Marathon For Hope campaign, and felt that despite his injury - his leg was badly hurt during a parachute accident in the Middle East - he needed to raise money and awareness for these soldiers and their families. "I am doing this for the benefit of organizations I believe passionately in and in honor of the fallen as well as the injured coalition troops with whom I've shared hospital rooms for ten months," he said.

Mike Ryan is also working to raise money and awareness for his brother's efforts, which begins August 7, 2009, and has gained the support of several stateside companies, including his law firm. "Our national safety is in the hands of people who sacrifice so much each day. Rick's incredible journey across the length of United Kingdom is his way of showing what extraordinary accomplishments can be achieved, but also with the compassion knowing that, despite his injury, he owes a debt of gratitude to those who have given their lives and bodies. People are coming out along the roadside at different points, not just to support Rick, but to show support for those families who have lost so much as their young men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice," he said.

The Ride for Remembrance starts August 7, 2009, at Land's End, UK. The expected course has Rick and his support team going through the following cities projected as follows:

  August 7, 2009 departure at 6 AM : Land's End to Exeter, UK
  August 8, 2009 : to Bristol, UK
  August 9, 2009 : to Wolverhampton, UK
  August 10, 2009 : to Wigan, UK
  August 11, 2009: to Carlisle, UK
  August 12, 2009 : to Glasgow, Scotland
  August 13, 2009 : to Fort William, Scotland
  August 14, 2009 : to Inverness, Scotland
  August 15, 2009 : to John O'Groats, Scotland

Trip maps are available and are expected to be available on-line, along with daily updates.

All Proceeds will benefit The Achilles track Club, Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and Tragedy Assistance Program Services (TAPS). The riders and support team are all volunteers. None of the proceeds donated will go to the costs of the ride; in-kind donations from supportive companies and individuals have offset the costs of the riders and team.

For more information, log on to www.rideforremembrance.org.

Source: Boardroom Communications