A CATHOLIC priest and Army veteran is set to join a fundraising cycle ride across the battlefields of France.

Oxford University’s Catholic chaplain Roger Dawson has been asked to act as chaplain for the Big Battlefield Bike Ride, which is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds for forces charity Help for Heroes.

The Jesuit priest, who took orders after a nine-year stint in the Royal Green Jackets, will join 300 cyclists at HMS Victory on Monday to cross the Channel, then cycle 350 miles across France, stopping at historic sites along the way to remember those who fought and died there.

Fr Roger, 50, who lives in Campion Hall, Oxford, was asked to join the ride by Help for Heroes founder Bryn Parry, whom he served with in the Green Jackets.

He said: “I am styling myself the pedalling padre.

“So many soldiers are having life-changing injuries and we have a responsibility to those who go to war in the name of this country to take care of them when they come back.

“Help for Heroes does just that.”

He said he anticipated finding the ride quite challenging.

He said: “I cycle round Oxford but I am rather counting on there being injured soldiers who will be finding it even more difficult than I am.”

Each of the riders has to raise at least £2,200, and so far Fr Roger has about £1,300.

Along the way, he will lead services at each of the memorials and wreath-layings, as well as being available to talk to any of the riders, many of them wounded servicemen themselves, throughout the eight-day trip.

He will also say Mass most days for those who wish to celebrate it with him.

He said: “I am very much looking forward to it, although I wish I was fitter.

“I think it will be incredibly worthwhile. I have been to the Normandy battlefields and war graves, although not as a chaplain, and they are incredibly moving places – beautiful, with an extraordinarily peaceful atmosphere.”

The ride will start with a parade in Portsmouth, before the cyclists take the evening ferry to Caen.

They will then cycle up to 75 miles each day to reach Dunkirk, returning on a naval ship on May 31.

To sponsor Fr Roger, visit bmy charity.com/ peddlingpadre or helpforheroes.org.uk for more information about the charity.