TOP Gear presented Jeremy Clarkson paid a visit to the Tedworth House recovery centre to meet services personnel affected by life-changing injuries.

Clarkson, a patron of the forces charity Help for Heroes was giving his support to the upcoming Hero Ride, which will see cyclists from around the country staging bike rides in support of injured troops and their families.

He said: “I met a number of troops who have been wounded both here and overseas in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and to see where the funding that Help for Heroes has raised has been spent was quite an eye opener.

“I’d like to encourage as many of the great British public as possible to take to their bikes for the Hero Ride event and fundraise in what will be a brilliant day to raise money and also celebrate our heroes.”

The ride, being held in London on June 2, is aiming to raise more than £2million for Help for Heroes.

Taking part will be many services personnel, including Corporal Josh Boggi, 26, from 9 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, who lost both his legs and his right arm after stepping on an IED on New Year’s Eve in 2010 while serving with the Counter IED Task Force in Afghanistan. Josh is now training for the Big Battlefield Bike Ride element of the Hero Ride, using a handbike which Help for Heroes funded for him.

He said: “Help for Heroes have been there for me right from the start. They first supported me with significant funding for my housing adaptations and now, through their Band of Brothers support network, I have taken up hand cycling.

“Help for Heroes have supported me once again with a fully fitted and adapted hand bike which I will be using to tackle 350 miles through France as part of Hero Ride. I cannot express how much this support means to me and my family. I know that no matter what, Help for Heroes will always be there for me.”

The Hero Ride fundraiser will bring thousands of supporters to The Mall and the ride will take in some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the Cenotaph and Buckingham Palace before culminating at Horse Guards Parade. People are also being asked to organise their own rides to cycle to the capital and join in the grand finale.

For more information go to helpforheroes.org.uk.