This September, 34 cyclists from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and its industry partners will set out on an extraordinary 500km journey, riding from France and Belgium in support of the Veterans' Foundation along a route steeped in military history.
This is the third year the organisation has led the cycling challenge, bringing together colleagues from 13 supplier organisations for five tough days in the saddle, all giving their time and support to take on a serious challenge and raise as much as they can for veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.
Over five days, the riders will cover 500KM through northern France and Belgium, beginning at Dunkirk and finishing at the Waterloo Battlefield – a route that takes them through places with deep connections to centuries of military history.
The choice of Dunkirk as a starting point matters greatly. It is a place associated with courage under the most difficult of circumstances, and it felt like the right place to begin a journey undertaken in honour of those who have served. As they make their way south, they’ll be following in the footsteps of history, passing through towns and landscapes shaped by generations of conflict and remembrance.
The ride will finish at the Waterloo Battlefield, bringing five demanding days in the saddle to an end at a site that speaks to sacrifice across the centuries.
For many of the riders, this will be an emotional moment, a chance to connect the challenge they have just completed with the stories of service and sacrifice that the Veterans' Foundation exists to honour.
But the challenge is also about the Armed Forces community today. Every kilometre cycled and every pound raised will help us fund organisations across the UK supporting veterans, serving personnel and their families – from mental and physical health support to housing, employment and help for families.
Together, the riders will cover more than 10,500 miles – an extraordinary collective effort to raise as much awareness as possible for the Veterans’ Foundation.
We'll be sharing updates from the road throughout the challenge, so please follow along and cheer our riders on. And if you'd like to support their efforts, you can donate here: DIO & Industry Partners Charity Cycle Ride 2026 – Dunkirk to Waterloo - JustGiving.
Thank you to DIO, our 13 supplier partners: Amey, Arcadis, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Morgan Sindall, Mott MacDonald, PA Consulting, Pinnacle, Reds10, VIVO, Willmott Dixon, WSP, and everyone taking part, whether riding, supplying, or sponsoring. Together, you're helping to make sure those who served are never forgotten.
