Thousand Yard Films to document Help for Heroes cycle ride

Two Teesside University graduates who set up their own film company are lending their skills to support a gruelling cycle ride which is raising funds for wounded, injured and serving personnel and veterans.

BA (Hons) Television and Film Production graduates Luke Statter and Sam Driver founded Thousand Yard Films with the help of a Fellowship from DigitalCity Innovation at Teesside University.

The pair have agreed to work pro bono for Help for Heroes to document the exploits of a group of disabled servicemen and veterans – four of them on handbikes and one on a recumbent - as they cycle from Edinburgh to London as part of the charity’s Hero Ride.

Thousand Yard Films will travel to Edinburgh on Monday 27 May to film the riders for a week as they make the 423 mile trip down to the capital.

The journey will culminate in the party joining up with more than a thousand cyclists in London and riding in convoy down The Mall.

They will produce two films – a corporate one for use by the charity and also a more personal one for the riders’ private use.

Luke, a former radio operator in the Royal Signals, said they were delighted to be able to assist the charity.

He said: 'When we were told about it I knew it was something we had to do.

'We’ve already done some practice filming and it was every bit as difficult as you might expect.

'Because of their injuries many of them are riding hand-cycles but they are able to reach some amazing speeds and it’s really exhilarating being a part of it.

'It’s unlike any filming we’ve ever done before. We’re actually going to be part of the support team so will also be helping them with their bikes and things like that.

'That’s something we’re not used to but we’ve really loved getting involved.

'It should be very emotional when they join everybody in London.'

All money raised by the six-day Hero Ride will be directed to Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire – one of four specialist centres in the UK, run by Help for Heroes, which provide rounded support in the form of education, vocational training, welfare, sport and adventure training to residents and day visitors.

Kelly Bostock, Support Programme Manager at Phoenix House where the cycling servicemen and veterans have received support, said she was overwhelmed by the offer of help from Thousand Yard Films.

She said: 'Our aim at Help for Heroes is to inspire and enable them to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives and the challenge of training for and taking part in the Hero Ride will play a valuable part in this.

'The Edinburgh to London route is a long, tough journey that would intimidate even the most experienced, able-bodied road cyclist and it is fantastic that the blokes and Help for Heroes will, thanks to Thousand Yard Films – have a permanent record and memento of what will be an amazing achievement.'

DigitalCity Fellowships give up to £4,000 to digital entrepreneurs to cover their living costs while they develop a product or service, as well as providing advice and mentoring from industry experts at Teesside University.

Thousand Yard Films also won a Start-Up Loan from Virgin Money and have received business advice from the Virgin boss, Sir Richard Branson.

Since winning the Start Up Loan, Luke and Sam have been commissioned by Virgin Money to make a series of short films about other recipients of the loans.

The company is also now employing a freelance writer to help with some new projects and hopes to take on another member of staff in the near future.

Luke added: 'The business is going really well and we’re working across a number of different areas.

'It’s great to be able to do something like this for Help for Heroes as it’s such a good cause.'

David Jeffries, the Head of DigitalCity Innovation and Graduate Enterprise at Teesside University, said: 'Luke and Sam have been producing some outstanding work at Thousand Yard Films and it is a great testament to them that they have agreed to help such a deserving charity in this manner.

'I’m sure the films they produce for Help for Heroes will give a real insight into the incredible perseverance and strength of character of those taking part and will be a great advert for the charity.'

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To make a donation to Hero Ride click here.