Royal Navy officers in Cornwall fundraising for mental health

The two naval helicopter observers are undertaking their epic journey in July to raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity to support military mental health.

Over 35 days, they will cycle unsupported from San Diego in California, across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama before arriving in Florida.

Commander Pascal Patterson, aged 40, and Lieutenant Commander Dan Waskett, 39, joined the Royal Navy on the same day in 2005.

They have each completed multiple frontline flying tours as aircrew officers, including Afghanistan, Somalia, West Africa and the Gulf.

It was during these tours that the pair fully realised the huge importance of mental health.

Commander Patterson trained in Lynx helicopters at RNAS Yeovilton while Lieutenant Commander Waskett became a Merlin Mk2 helicopter observer and has recently joined 824 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose.

The pair will cycle 3,000 miles to raise money for a mental health charity

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Lieutenant Commander Waskett said: "There will be some stretches across the desert when service stations are few and far between.

"Yes, it is daunting, but I think that works for us.

"We’ll be camping at the side of the road and if all we’ve got to do is get up each day and cycle 100 miles, we can do that.

"We wanted to do something epic – a real challenge – which would highlight the importance of mental health. We’ve both seen the importance of that issue first-hand."

Commander Patterson added: "The mental health of our personnel is so important to us.

"We are passionate about getting the necessary support to those who need it. Help us, to help others.”

Follow them on their training journey at www.starsandspokes.com and to support them in their efforts, see www.justgiving.com/starsandspokes.

All funds raised go directly to the charity.