Newport squaddie’s partner gets on her bike for army cause (From South Wales Argus)

Newport squaddie’s partner gets on her bike for army cause

5:10pm Saturday 21st February 2009 in Gwent news By Alison Sanders

THE GIRLFRIEND of a Newport solider is getting back on her bike and fighting her fear by cycling 350 miles through Second World War battlefields to raise money for an army charity.

Emily Kembrey, 24, of Holly Lodge Green, Croesyceiliog, will cycle from Portsmouth to northern France in a bid to raise almost £3,000 for Help for Heroes.

Miss Kembrey, a qualified sports physiotherapist, will start the trip on May 24 to help take her mind off missing her Royal Welsh soldier boyfriend.

Her boyfriend, Corporal Kris Chorley, started a six-month tour of Afghanistan with the Royal Welsh second battalion regiment on Wednesday, February 18.

She said: “I’m extremely anxious and worried about him out there but this charity challenge is a way for me to channel my energy into something positive.

“One of Kris’ friends was injured quite badly recently and it really hit home.

Around 300 people will be taking part in The Help for Heroes Band of Brothers bike ride which will include them laying wreaths at the Arc de Triomphe before the cycle ride finishes at the Eiffel Tower on the sixth day.

Mr Chorley, 22, from Bassaleg, joined the army straight after school when he was 16 and has already completed two tours of Iraq.

The couple have been together for just over a year and met when Mr Chorley was playing for the rugby club which Miss Kembrey was doing some physiotherapy work for.

Miss Kembrey, who works part-time behind the bar at the Crow’s Nest in Llanyravon, said the charity ride is a big challenge for her personally as she has not been on a bike since she fell off one eight years ago.

She said: “I was 16 and being silly. I fell off and it took a big chunk out of my shoulder. It really put me off.”

Miss Kembrey has borrowed her sister’s bike and is appealing to any businesses to lend her the extra equipment she might need for the trip.

To sponsor Miss Kembrey please see www.justgiving.com/emilysbikechallenge