MP takes part in charity bike race

Hannah’s poppy support

Livingston MP Hannah Bardell took part in a 12hour marathon bike ride at Westminster alongside politicians and armed forced personnel to raise money for this year’s Poppy Appeal.

The bike ride took place at Portcullis House, Parliament, between 8am and 8pm and aimed to raise money for The Royal British Legion’s national Poppy Appeal.

Ha n nah Ba r d e l l MP represented her constituency of Livingston by cycling as far as she could in five minutes, with the hope of topping the leaderboard and beating the other 90 members of Parliament that took part.

The Livingston MP managed to cycle the 2.57km within the five minutes.

Ms Bardell said: “I would like to thank the Industry and Parliament Trust and The Royal British Legion for arranging this event.

“The Royal British Legion provides invaluable support to the armed forces community. I am pleased to have been able to support such a worthy cause.”

The bike ride was organised by the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) and The Royal British Legion following on from the successful bike ride held in 2016 where 77 MPs and Peers cycled a total of 128.8 miles in 12 hours.

This year’s race emphasised that The Royal British Legion will once again be asking the nation to ‘Rethink Remembrance’ and consider the meaning of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance and hope.

Nick Maher CEO of the IPT said: “The work of The Royal British Legion is essential to the lives of the whole armed forces community across the UK and I am delighted that MPs and Peers are supporting us in our efforts to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.

“The support and enthusiasm f rom parliamentarians and service men and women has been fantastic.”

The Central Parliament Poppy Appeal is the only charity that can fundraise in Parliament.