Mirfield pub owner completes gruelling challenge for war veterans

Ageing veterans had to shield and stay home for much of 2020 and many old soldiers missed out on Remembrance services in November.

Tim is parade officer for the Mirfield branch of the Royal British Legion and organises the annual Poppy Appeal in the town.

This year the RBL cancelled all its usual fundraisers and poppy collections on safety grounds, meaning Tim, 64, was flying solo.

Tim, who runs the Old Colonial in Dunbottle Lane, Mirfield, has seen his pub closed by Covid restrictions so he and wife Carol have put their time into providing meals for veterans.

And over the 12 days of Christmas - or at least those days when the gym was open - Tim raised funds to pay for a party for when the pandemic is over and veterans can come out again.

Under the name Vet Snap 1,000, Tim is pedalled 1,000 miles on an exercise bike and lifted 1,000 tons in weight and invited people to donate to his party pot.

“I’m had to do 100 miles a day in two shifts,” said Tim. “I’m quite a fit bloke but using the bike as much as I did I got quite saddle sore! I don’t know how the professional cyclists do it.

“I bought myself a gel saddle to ease the journey a bit but even so it was one of the most painful things I’ve ever done.”

Tim added: “I’m a grafter but with the pub being shut I’m bored. The challenge gave me something to focus on.”

Tim and Carol delivered food hampers to veterans before Christmas and Tim also kept busy by recycling old Remembrance wreaths into Christmas wreaths and selling them to boost the depleted Poppy Appeal funds.

In a normal year Mirfield would raise almost £20,000 but this year the total is around £6,500.

The poignant Truce in the Trenches wreaths depicted what looks like barbed wire and snowflakes.

Donations to the veterans’ party are still being taken and can be dropped off at the pub or ring Tim on 01924 496920.