Bahrain-based personnel find perfect formula for fundraising in charity cycle around Grand Prix track

For Verstappen and Hamilton, read Cox and Mackinnon as Bahrain’s Grand Prix circuit hosted raw power rather than roar power.

The international circuit – home of the Formula 1 showdown every spring – hosted sailors, soldiers and airmen from the UK base in the kingdom, one of two venues chosen for a cycling ‘Le Mans’.

Personnel pedalled around the 5.4km-long circuit or the much smaller UK’s Naval Support Facility Bahrain (a circuit is under one kilometre) in 24 one-hour slots to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and the Bahrain Society for Children with Behavioural and Communication Difficulties.

The event brought together all ranks and rates from Leading Hand to Commodore – Cdre Don Mackinnon, in charge of the international Task Force Sentinel, joined riders. With the support of families, friends and colleagues, the cyclists raised over £1,200. It concluded with a mass Tour de France-inspired procession of participants.

Beyond helping good causes, the ride – in temperatures ranging from single figures in the depths of night to a pleasant low 20s Celsius in the peak of day – was a key morale factor for the hundreds of personnel based in the region over the festive period.

Organiser Lieutenant Commander ‘Doc’ Cox said: “Christmas is a special time for friends and families to get together. For service personnel on operations around the globe it is team spirit that helps bring us all together. There are those less fortunate than us who may have fallen on hard times or are experiencing other issues. This was an ideal opportunity for a group of us to do something positive and give something back over the festive period.”