A TEAM of cyclists got military honours in Oldswinford as they left for a trip to remember fallen hero.

Staff and pupils at Old Swinford Hospital School, Heath Lane, were joined by members of the Mercian Regiment, including regimental mascot ram Lance Corporal Derby, to cheer on the trio as they left for a 500km trip to raise funds for the son of a former student at the school.

Soldiers Capt Ed Porter and Capt Paul Goddard, along with Pc Chris Bramley, took to the road on March 19 in memory of Capt Rupert Bowers who was killed in action in Afghanistan last year.

Capt Bowers left behind his widow Vicky and their son Hugo, who is now one-year-old.

Sponsor cash from the ride will be donated to Help for Hugo, a fund to provide financial support for the youngster, and Winston’s Wish, a leading charity for bereaved children.

Capt Goddard, aged 31, served with Capt Bowers in the Mercian Regiment in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan while Capt Porter, 26, is taking on the journey despite suffering a war wound himself.

Capt Porter said: "Having been shot through the pelvis in Afghanistan a year-and-a-half ago I will find this meagre 500km quite a challenge, as I have only just learnt to walk and ride a bike again.“

The journey will take the team to The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headly Court, Surrey, and to Capt Bowers' regimental HQ in Lichfield before they return to Stourbridge on Saturday March 23.

Old Swinford School headmaster, Peter Jones, said: “Rupert was an outstanding student and a natural leader. We were saddened to learn of his death and the whole school community is supporting Help for Hugo with raffles, cake sales, charity wrist bands and much more within and beyond the school.

"To date we have raised £3,200 for Help for Hugo and £2,000 for Winston’s Wish."