AN ex-serviceman will be taking part in a gruelling two-week motorcycle challenge to fundraise for a new veterans' centre at a local hospital in Oswestry.

Rick Prichard, 55, from Wrexham will begin the 4,500 mile journey on June 28 in a bid to raise £3,000 for the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre Appeal at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen.

The challenge will see former British Army serviceman, Rick Prichard unite with to other veterans and serving personnel to ride their motorcycles up to Europe’s most northerly point, Nordkapp in Norway.

The team will travel 300 plus miles per day throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway before finally reaching their final destination of Nordkapp, which is beyond the Arctic Circle.

Mr Prichard explained the reasons behind why he decided to undertake this particular challenge came after the hospital near Oswestry managed to save his wife's life.

He said: "Last November, my wife Anna had a hip replacement at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

"Unfortunately, due to some complications, her life was in danger and the fantastic staff did everything to help her make a full recovery.

"Whilst there, I noticed posters around the hospital about the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre Appeal.

"I was already due to take on the Nordkapp Challenge in the summer, so I decided to use the event to fundraise for the appeal."

The Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service is led by Lieutenant Colonel Carl Meyer, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, serving officer in the British Army and Clinical Director of the Veterans Service.

The hospital's Veterans Orthopaedic service is the first of its kind in the UK and allows two outpatient clinics a month.

It is also open to those who served within the UK military with arthritic lower limb problems.

Mr Prichard, added: "It will take us about a week to arrive at Nordkapp and will be quite a challenge and also potentially painful at times.

"I served in the British Army for 26 years, and during my time I have undergone knee surgery as a result of the job.

"I know how important it is for any veteran to be properly supported after they have left the services, and the planned Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre is an excellent way of achieving that."

Helen Knight, fundraising manager at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, said:

“We're delighted that Rick has decided to fundraise for the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre Appeal.

"Our fundraisers help us to provide the best possible care for our patients – the money Rick raises for us will hugely benefit our veteran patients.

"I wish him and the team the very best of luck throughout the challenge and would like to thank him for the support."

If you would like to support Rick and the team, you can donate through JustGiving - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NordkappChallenge2019