The Heavy Metal Truants are cycling to Download festival for charity!
For the seventh year running, the Truants will make the epic 186-mile trek from Alexandra Palace in north London to Download festival, raising money for Childline, Nordoff Robbins and Teenage Cancer Trust.
This year's 40+ riders, who set off this morning, are all devout metalheads, and include Aaron Aedy from Paradise Lost, Twin V's Alexander Milas and Prog magazine's own Jerry Ewing.
The Heavy Metal Truants was founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and then Metal Hammer Editor-In-Chief Alexander Milas:
“This is all about community and doing some good in the world,” says Smallwood. “It’s that sense of community that’s at the core of heavy metal culture, and it’s also been key to the success of the Heavy Metal Truants, because people at every level of our world have truly pulled together to make this happen.”
“The Heavy Metal Truants has truly taken on a life of its own,” adds Alexander Milas. “From our three day battle with the hills and the heat or rain (whatever comes- we’ll ride on through), to have raised half a million pounds already- it’s testament how metal fans respond when they see good causes worth fighting for. Please help us spread the word so we can continue to help support these charities who do such inspiring work every single day.”
To date, the Heavy Metal Truants have raised £580,500.
