Talent crew’s marathon cycle ride in colleague’s memory

Six submariners hope to cycle the 248 gruelling miles from Plymouth to London in just 23 hours – raising money in memory of a colleague.

Lt Joe Wright, serving with HMS Victorious, collapsed while jogging around Faslane back in January. Despite the efforts of friends and medics, they were unable to save the life of the26-year-old from Conyer in Kent.

Joe, who’d previously served in HMS Tireless, was a passionate cyclist, prompting six deeps to attempt a marathon ride to raise money for the RNRMC, which supported Joe’s family after his sudden death.

Google Maps reckons it will take the riders from HMS Talent 23 hours and four minutes to cover the distance (which includes a slight detour to the Wight Bear Ale House in Bournemouth, which staged ‘Joe’s Day’ earlier this year to raise money in the late submariner’s name).

The riders, led by CPO Craig Parker, will ride in a relay in three pairs, leaving Devonport Naval Base on Friday November 4, with their destination the Submariners’ Memorial on the Embankment in the capital.

The deeps are more than one third of their way towards their £1,200 target; you can make a £5 donation by texting ‘Navy talent’ to 70500, or via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HMSTalentbeatgooglecycle