Two brothers made a documentary about their cycle tour of the battlefields and war memorials of the First World War.
Jonny Ellis, of Whitehall Road, Harrow, and his brother, Chris Ellis, who lives in West Watford, spent three weeks cycling from London to Berlin to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
They recorded their journey on camera and after their return in early October last year, began compiling their footage to create an hour-long film.
Jonny, 27, said: “I’ve always been fascinated by the First World War and riding to raise money for the legion inspired me to develop my third cycle adventure film.
“With it I tried to capture not just the experience of the journey such as the changing scenery and outlandish campsites we stayed in, but also explore and hopefully pay tribute to the tragic history of the Belgium and France battlefields.
“It took around six months to make and I am thrilled with the finished result. I’ve always had an interest in film so marking the trip with a documentary is fitting.”
During their 1,000 mile trip, they spent three weeks sleeping rough and battling through the autumn weather until they reached the Brandenberg Gate.
The brothers cycled to Dover, caught a ferry to Dunkirk, and travelled through Bruges in Belgium before heading south along the Western front via Ypres, Arras, the Somme, the Aisne and Verdun.
Their ultimate goal was to raise £1,111.14 to mark last year’s Remembrance Sunday event, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
But after raising £1,350 they now hope their video will inspire people to continue donating to their cause.
Jonny, a care designer at Chameleon Information Management Services, in High Street, Rickmansworth, added: “The trip and the filmmaking was a real challenge but when I look at the video and see how much money we raised, I know it was all worthwhile.”
To sponsor Chris and Jonny, click here. To watch the video, click here.
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