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Category: Charity

  1. Guy Martin’s Big Brew

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    Charity tea-drinking event set to hot up the May Bank Holiday weekend, 2nd - 5th May 2014

    Road racing legend and television star, Guy Martin, asks us all to join him once again in enjoying a mug of Britain’s favourite hot drink while raising money for a fantastic cause. Kettles will be boiling in participating venues all over the Bank Holiday weekend of 2nd - 5th May 2014 to help support the groundbreaking work of Spinal Research.

    Guy Martins Big BrewFor the past three years, thousands of people have put the kettle on in support of Guy Martin’s Big Brew, raising over £20,000 for Ride Out for Spinal Research. 2014 promises to be bigger than ever, with motorcycle dealerships, cafes, clubs and individual riders all over the country coming together to ‘have a brew’ while doing their bit to raise money and give something back.

    The event involves bikers visiting their local motorcycle dealer, club or café and enjoying a cuppa while making a donation to Spinal Research. You can organise a ride out, poker run, bike night, quiz night, or simply sell tea and cakes. Spinal Research will provide you with a fundraising pack and support materials, plus your event will be listed on their map of events across the UK.

    In 2013, City School of Motorcycling organised a Big Brew Fun Day, which included a climbing wall, mini motos, skilled balance riding competition, stunt rider display, raffle, barbecue, teas and cakes. Representative Patricia Barrett enthused, “I can honestly say that the Big Brew has been very beneficial to our business, not only did it increase the local community awareness of what we do, it also made the staff feel they were involved in something very worthwhile. We have had great feedback both from ex-students and the local community. Our Big Brew event generated a lot of good feeling, plus it was great fun!”

    Four Chances to Win

    During The Big Brew Spinal Research ask that you raise as much money as you can for their research and as a reward for your fundraising efforts, one person and a friend who raise the most money will get the chance to meet Guy at a race.

    Everyone that takes part in a Big Brew event will be able to enter our free prize draw for another lucky winner and a friend to also meet Guy at a race. Our runner up will win a year’s supply of Mr Porky Pork Scratchings.

    After Guy fractured several bones in his back in an accident during the 2010 Isle of Man TT, he realised just how lucky he was to make a full recovery. Guy decided to unite the two great loves in his life, motorbikes and tea, and the Big Brew was born.

    Ride Out for Spinal Research Ambassador, Guy said: “The Big Brew has been running for over three years now but there’s still a way to go in the fight against paralysis. A mate of mine is paralysed from the neck down so I can see where the money is going. Get involved with The Big Brew – it isn’t asking much and you could win a competition to meet me at Scarborough and you can also get involved with the sideburns job – it’s all to raise a good few bob to help Spinal Research. Get cracking and grow a pair of sideburns. This year the person with the best sideburns as judged by me wins two tickets to the MotoGP™ British Grand Prix. Get on the website www.spinal-research.org and get involved.”

    The Big Brew’s Big Sideburns Competition

    You can also grow and show your support in The Big Brew’s Big Sideburns competition. Men and women can get involved by growing or creating your own ‘sidies’. Male Guy Martin fans can raise money by getting sponsored to ‘grow their own’ sideburns, while ladies can join in by designing painted and jewelled versions. The person with the best sidies, as judged by Guy, will win two tickets to the MotoGP™ British Grand Prix.

    To enter, upload a photo of your mutton chops to www.guymartinbigbrew.org to be in with a chance of winning.

    You can download sponsorship forms from the website above or start your own Virgin Money Giving Page.

    Red Torpedo is also supporting Spinal Research. They will be giving 50p from the sale of every rider tee to Spinal Research – get buying and get supporting! 

    For your FREE information pack on how to organise your own Big Brew or to find your nearest participating venue, visit www.guymartinbigbrew.org or call Isabel on 01483 898786.

    It’s an exciting time for Spinal Research as they stand on the brink of clinical trials that will transform the lives of people living with paralysis, improving sensation, movement and their quality of life. But to do this they need your support.

    Information

    Guy Martin’s Big Brew, The Big Brew and Grow and Show are the property of Guy Martin and Spinal Research. No copying of these is permitted without the written permission of Spinal Research.

    About Spinal Research

    Our vision is a world where spinal cord injury doesn’t mean a lifetime of paralysis.

    Every day three people in the UK and Ireland are told that they will never walk again; their lives and those of their families are changed forever. Spinal Research is here to give hope to those 50,000 people living with a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury can affect anyone in the community regardless of age, race or sex but it does disproportionally affect young adults aged 18 – 24.

    At Spinal Research our focus is to find an effective treatment for spinal cord injury that not only improves sensation and movement for people living with paralysis, but brings us closer to a day when we finally conquer it.

    www.spinal-research.org

  2. The Stephen Cowton Memorial Motorcycle Run

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    "GET ON YOUR BIKE" FOR THE 19TH ANNUAL EASTER EGG RUN

    Get into gear with the Kilham Bikers (formerly Kilham Wednesday Night Bikers) who have been raising money for worthy causes throughout the Yorkshire area, will be going on their Annual Easter Egg run on Easter Sunday 20th April 2014 for a ride on some of East & North Yorkshire’s best biking roads to end our journey at Bridlington Club for Young People which is a centre providing recreational, sporting & Social opportunities for young people. The day begins at THE BAY HORSE, KILHAM at 9am when bacon butties will be served and we will leave for our run to Bridlington at 11am.

    Last year's Easter Egg Run was a great success raising funds for May Lodge, Scarborough with a grand total of £3400 raised for the purchase of a sofa, chairs etc which is great in these difficult times.

    We are now in our 19th year of helping children and young people from various charities in the Yorkshire area. We as a Motorcycle Club have been running for 20 years as when we first started it was just to deliver Easter Eggs to children in hospitals in our area. We also organise ride-outs every Wednesday night throughout the summer months and a list with details of the rides will be put on our website early in March.

    Leading up to the Easter Egg Run we are having a Quiz at the Bay Horse, Kilham 19th March 7.30pm onwards, and other events will be taking place over the next couple of months and details will be put on our new webpage as shown below.

    So if you can help or would like to make a donation please contact Fran Cowton on 01262 420399 or go on the website www.kilhambikers.co.uk for further details. We also hold a raffle/tombola and anyone who can donate any prizes for the evening of Easter Sunday at The Bay Horse, Kilham from 7.30pm onwards would be greatly appreciated. So just come along and support the event and have fun.

  3. Prescott Bike Festival 2014: Sunday 6th April 2014

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    The fourth annual Prescott Bike Festival is taking place on Sunday 6th April 2014 and promises to be an action-packed day for all the family in support of the Nationwide Association of Bloodbikes charity.

    Festival organiser Gordon Downie said “Prescott Bike Festival continues to go from strength to strength; we are delighted to announce that all track time entries sold out in January and there are only a few Exhibitor spaces left. This year all major motorcycle manufacturers are represented, and there will be a large display of famous historic, modern and race bikes, plus bike clubs, famous racers, demo areas, passenger ride experiences, stunt show, trade stands, junior fun section, live music, good food and a raft of entertainment both on and off the track to keep the whole family amused. We are all gearing up for our largest and best festival yet”.

    Special guest appearances include: former three times British Superbike Champion and Bloodbike ambassador John Reynolds, former racer and MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish, motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders. Plus Smith’s Triumph Racing with British Supersport Championship Billy McConnell and new signing Graeme Gowland, Tag Racing Team with British Superbike rider Richard Cooper and Superstock rider Shaun Winfield, BeWiser Kawasaki Superstock rider Josh and Skyzone Racing Supermoto Team riders Chris Hodgson, Jay Smith and Thomas Elam.

    Amongst the hundreds of historic, classic and race bikes taking to the historic hill climb course include:

    •Carlos Checa’s MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici GP5 and Checa’s 2011 WSB winning Ducati 1198 F1 (courtesy of Dawn Treader Performance)
    •David Jeffries' GSX-R1000 TT bike and James Toseland's first WSS machine
    •Frankie Chili’s 1998 Ex WSB Ducati 996
    •The 1930 Rudge Ulster belonging to David Osborne
    •Chris Sawyer's 1928 Cotton Blackburne
    •A rare Sachs R800 Roadster from 2002 owned by Barry Fahey
    •The 1959 Norton Dominator of Ian Cordes
    •Rare Excelsior Manxmans from Dave Lee and Adrian Sellars
    •Eric Bostrom’s 2005 AMA factory 999 (same bike as Neil Hodgson rode in 2005)

    Special features:

    •Local dealers representing: Triumph, Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Piaggio, BMW, Harley Davidson, Victory, Kuberg, Watsonian Squire and KTM
    •A ‘Trials Competition’ to be held throughout the day and ran under the auspices of the Western Centre ACU
    •Nick Sanders and his new Steampunk Cinema, plus regular book signing sessions
    •The popular Dave Coates Motorcycle Stunt Show performing at 1.15pm
    •Thrilling passenger ride experiences include: a national hill climb sidecar, Morgan 3 Wheelers (both modern and vintage) a Westfield XI, Westfield SEiW and the Grinnal Scorpion III
    •Live music by 1950s inspired rockabilly, rock & roll and R&B inspired band, Josie and the Outlaw, plus Road House Rooster, Chickenbone John and his custom guitars, the Blitz Buddies Dancers and a Retro DJ spinning some vinyls
    •Junior section features: go karts, Kuberg electric motorbikes, large scale climbing wall, fairground rides, inflatable play area and the return of the world's largest Star Wars Garrison
    •Angelic Bulldog showcasing their 400mph streamliner land speed motorbike project
    •George Formby Tribute and his antics
    •Plus more than 100 trade stands

    Motorcycle and racing clubs confirmed:

    •The Classic 50cc Racing Club – with their racing machines and riders representing the clubs early beginnings around 1953 up to 1983
    •London Douglas Owners Club
    •Norton Owners Club
    •Leominster Classic Motorcycle Club
    •Yamaha XJR Owners Club
    •XJR Owners Club
    •Rolling Hills (Harley Owners Club)
    •Honda Owners Club
    •Suzuki Owners Club
    •Chopper Owners Club showcasing extreme custom bikes

    For bikers that enjoy classic machinery, entries on the hill include a 1930 Rudge Ulster 500 cc Racer, a 1928 Blackburne-engined Cotton, 1924 two cam Harley-Davidson racer, 1927 Scott Flyer, 1935 cotton JAP, plus all the historic marquees represented like Bantam’s, BSA, Ariel, Matchless and Norton.

    www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk 

  4. Sign up to the big biker event of the year

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    Bikers from Shropshire and the wider Midlands area are invited to start the season off in style on Sunday 27th April 2014.

    MAA mascot with bikersBike4Life Fest is being held at RAF Museum Cosford in support for two local charities - the Midlands Air Ambulance and Royal Air Force Museum. The event is being run in collaboration with the Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police and this year is being supported by radio station Planet Rock and is set to be the biggest organised biker gathering in the Midlands this year.

    The event will feature various trade stands, bike dealers, arena displays, live music at the Planet Rock stage and refreshments with plenty to entertain the non bikers of the family! The popular Bike4Life Ride Out will also be taking place on the same day, and is expected to attract over 2,000 bikers. Leaving from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, the 23 mile Ride Out will finish at the event at RAF Museum Cosford where all the bikers can enjoy the entertainment on offer at the Bike4Life Festival.

    There will be the opportunity to speak to various local clubs and dealers, watch the activities on display in the arena and enjoy live music and food with fellow bikers. One of the main focuses of the event will be the opportunity to speak to The Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and other trainers to find out more about further training and additional courses that are out there to brush up on your biking skills.

    Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership says: “It promises to be a great day out for riders. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking about buying a bike, just getting started, or have been riding for years and are an experienced biker there will be something there for everyone. Put the 27th April in your diary now so you don’t miss the event!”

    With hundreds of bikers already signed up, organisers are expecting thousands will show their support on the day and join in the fun, so, if you’re a biker and you’re not already registered for the Ride Out or just want to find out more visit www.bike4lifefest.com or call the Bike4Life Festival team on 01902 376 252. Find us on Facebook by searching for Bike4Life Fest and follow us on Twitter @Bike4LifeFest.

    The festival will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and visitors of all ages, not just bikers are encouraged to come along. Bikers wishing to participate in the ride out MUST have a full licence as the route to the Museum will travel along the M54 motorway.

    Bikers can find out more information on the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org. Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

  5. Prescott Bike Festival raises money for a life-saving charity, Bloodbikes

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    The annual Prescott Bike Festival will be taking place on Sunday 6th April 2014 and promises to be an action-packed day for all the family in support of the Nationwide Association of Bloodbikes charity.

    The fourth annual event will be larger than ever before, with even more bike manufacturers and clubs confirmed, plus a large display of historic, modern and race bikes on display in the paddock, demo areas, passenger rides, stunt show, trade stalls, live music, good food and a host of entertainment both on and off the track to keep the whole family amused. Special guest appearances include: former three times British Superbike Champion and Bloodbike ambassador John Reynolds, MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish, motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders and making his debut appearance – Michael Rutter.

    Some of the many hundreds of historic, classic and race bikes at Prescott Bike Festival 2014:

    * Carlos Checa’s MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici GP5 and Checa’s 2011 WSB winning Ducati 1198 F1 (courtesy of Dawn Treader Performance)
    * David Jeffries' GSX-R1000 TT bike and James Toseland's first WSS machine
    * The 1930 Rudge Ulster belonging to David Osborne
    * Chris Sawyer's 1928 Cotton Blackburne
    * A rare Sachs R800 Roadster from 2002 owned by Barry Fahey
    * The 1959 Norton Dominator of Ian Cordes
    * Rare Excelsior Manxmans from Dave Lee and Adrian Sellars

    New features at Prescott Bike Festival 2014:

    * The Angelic Bulldog 400mph streamliner land speed motorbike project
    * Saturday night party and camping for Advance Ticket Holders only
    * Bigger and better Happy Hour of activity by rare race machinery and factory bikes on the hill
    * The first 100 Run the Hill bookings receive a free festival T-shirt
    * Kuberg electric motorbikes – have a go!
    * UK Garrison Star Wars costuming club
    * Early Bird breakfasts from 8.00am to 9.30am at special low prices

    Lots of live entertainment at Prescott Bike Festival 2014:

    * The Dave Coates Stunt Show as featured on TV and at many major motor sports events
    * George Formby Tribute
    * 1950s inspired rockabilly, rock & roll and R&B band, Josie and the Outlaw.

    Motorcycle and racing clubs already confirmed as attending:

    * Honda OC
    * Norton OC
    * XJR OC
    * Rolling Hills (Harley OC)
    * Classic 50cc Racing Club

    Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, says, “The annual Prescott Bike Festival continues to go from strength to strength. For 2014 we'll have more of everything alongside the usual attractions of the unique opportunity to ride the hill. As usual, all major motorcycle manufacturers will be in attendance so fans will get the chance to see all the major models up close and personal. There will be a host of trade stands as well as famous racers and great entertainment too. The Prescott Bike Festival 2014 really does offer something for everyone.”

    Venue:

    Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 9RD,
    Easily accessible from junction 9 of the M5 and from London via the A40 to Cheltenham.

    Tickets:

    Advance tickets are £12; under 16s (with a paying adult) get in free.
    On-the-day tickets are £15; under 16s (with a paying adult) get in free.
    Run the Hill tickets are £35 and must be purchased in advance.
    There is no charge for bike parking (free side stand puck provided and free helmet park)
    Gates open at 08:30 and track action begins at 10:00. The festival closes at 17:00.
    All Advance Ticket holders (including Run the Hill) are invited to a pre-event party on the Saturday evening in the Clubhouse. Camping available to advance ticket holders only (limited availability)

    To purchase tickets in advance visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

    Exhibitor space is much sought after and limited to those who will add real value via their higher end product offer. The organisers welcome all enquiries; anyone interested in taking space should, in the first instance make their enquiry via the New Exhibitors section via the Exhibitors page on the website or email them directly at [email protected] for further information.