SSAFA fundraiser commemorates the Dambusters Raid

17 June 2023

Operation Chastise, commonly known as the Dambusters Raid, was an attack on German dams carried out on the night of 16 May 1943 by 617 Squadron RAF Bomber Command, later called the Dambusters. David Harris, from Lincoln, cycled from RAF Scampton, which was the home of 617 Squadron, to the site of the raid in Germany in order to raise funds for SSAFA.

Seven and a half days, and 530 miles after setting off from RAF Scampton, where the raid flew from in the UK, David arrived at the Möhnesee dam, just in time to commemorate the Dambuster’s 80th anniversary.

David, SSAFA Program Manager said: “Only when I saw the route details did I realise how many miles I’d actually signed up for. At the end of the ride I woke up smiling. The smile was because I knew that I did not have to place my backside on that saddle!”

Despite a little discomfort, David has so far raised over £900 for the charity during his ride which has been donated to his local SSAFA East Midlands regional office, to assist local veterans and service people in their time of need.