Category: Charity

1. The Prince of Wales meets Legion’s leather clad Riders

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 20th Jun 2011

   Ninety members of the branch brought their bikes to the lunchtime reception hosted by The Prince of Wales. The motorcycles created an unusual spectacle as they were parked up in the garden of Clarence House. The Prince of Wales tried one of the bikes out for size, revving the engine as the owner pointed out some of the bike’s finer features.

   After the reception The Riders Branch Chairman, JJ Jarvis, said:

   “We are honoured that The Prince of Wales has recognised the activities of the branch, including the role we take in paying respects to those who have lost their lives on active duty.

   “The branch has over 4,440 members, and although they could not all attend, the recognition received today is for the contribution every one of them makes.

   “It was a privilege to meet The Prince, who was very enthusiastic about our work and motorcycling. We left him an open invitation to join the branch as an honorary member anytime.”

   The branch is the second largest of the Legion’s 2,800 branches. Members, including ex and current serving personnel and civilians, are brought together through their passion for motorcycling and support for The Royal British Legion. 

   Branch activities include fundraising for the Poppy Appeal (£150,000 this year), raising the Legion’s profile at motorcycling events and joining with the people of Wootton Bassett to pay respects at repatriations through the town.

   

   The Prince of Wales tries one of the Riders Branch bikes for size at a reception at Clarence House

   www.britishlegion.org.uk

2. Ducati 1198 ridden and signed by Valentino Rossi to be auctioned for Charity

   Posted on 1:00pm Friday 3rd Jun 2011

   Ducati UK is to auction the 1198 Valentino Rossi rode recently at Silverstone during the official launch of the new Silverstone Wing, with a donation from the sale being made to motorcycling’s favourite charity, Riders for Health.   

   On 17 May 2011, Valentino Rossi joined a host of motorsport champions from the past and present in an inauguration ceremony to open Silverstone’s state-of-the-art new Pit, Paddock and Conference complex – The Silverstone Wing. After the ceremony, Rossi, who missed riding at the British Moto GP last year due to injury, used the occasion to put in some practice laps on board a specially prepared 1198 SP.

   Unfortunately the bike soon developed technical problems and Ducati UK stepped in to supply a standard road registered 1198. The bike (still with its licence plate, indicators and mirrors attached) is normally used for customer demonstration rides but Rossi was able to complete 30 laps on the 1198 to familiarise himself with the Silverstone circuit ahead of the AirAsia British MotoGP.

   Rossi signed the 1198 as a thank you to Ducati UK and now the bike will auctioned at Silverstone auctions to help raise money for Riders for Health. The bike will be displayed at the Riders for Health Day of Champions on Thursday 9 June and then be moved to the auction on Saturday 11 June.

   This is a unique chance to own a piece of Ducati history and Rossi memorabilia.  It will attract collectors, bike and race enthusiasts alike and in turn will raise money for a worthwhile cause.

   The money donated by Ducati UK will help Riders for Health to mobilise health workers with reliable motorcycles and train them in basic maintenance so that they are able to provide a regular health care to even very remote villages.  To find out more about the work of Riders for Health, visit www.riders.org

   The auction takes place on Saturday 11th June at Silverstone Circuit at 5.30pm and will be held at the new The Wing building and pit complex during the MotoGP race weekend.

   If you cannot attend the auction telephone and commission bids are being accepted.

   For further information:

3. Guy Martin’s Big Brew in aid of Spinal Research

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 4th May 2011

   The Pit Stop Diner, Bowesfield Lane,  Stockton on Tees is holding their big brew event on Sunday 8^th May from 9.30am till 4pm. All proceeds from the sale of tea and coffee will be donated to this great cause.

   Guy Martin's Big Brew - Get Involved

   Road racing legend Guy Martin wants everyone to support The Big Brew and have a cuppa over the weekend of 6th - 8th May 2011 to raise money for Spinal Research. 

   Motorcycle dealers, bike groups and individuals are holding their own Big Brew events and will raise money for Spinal Research with the great British favourite – a cup of tea!

   The Big Brew events will be happening across the country with organisers holding raffles and quizzes and supplying mugs of tea to help boost the fundraising effort.

   Anyone who takes part in The Big Brew will be entered into a free prize draw to win the chance to meet Guy Martin at a race event later this year, likely to be the Snetterton round of the British Superbike Championship in July.  

   “When I decided to support the Ride Out campaign for Spinal Research, I didn’t know that I’d have a big accident at the Isle of Man TT (2010). I fractured the bones in my upper back, but luckily I didn’t damage my spinal cord. It could so easily have been a different story and I’d have wound up paralysed. That’s why I decided to support Ride Out and combine my love of tea with motorbikes – all in the name of a good cause!  Please get involved and help us beat paralysis. Cheers, Guy”

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

4. Guy Martin's Big Brew - Hein Gericke in Belfast

   Posted on 12:00am Saturday 30th Apr 2011

   Road racing legend Guy Martin wants everyone to support The Big Brew and have a cuppa for charity on Saturday 7th May to raise money for Spinal Research.

   Adelaide Insurance Services has teamed up with Hein Gericke in Belfast to run their Big Brew day supporting Spinal Research at Hein Gericke on the Boucher Road, Belfast.

   Spinal Research aims to get paralysed people walking again and has a campaign especially for motorcyclists called “Ride Out.” Ride Out is dedicated to motorcyclists who love what they do but are at risk of a spinal cord injury. The campaign enables motorcyclists to give something back and help people who have been paralysed.

   On the Big Brew website Guy Martin says, “"When I decided to support Ride Out for Spinal Research, I didn't know that I'd have a big accident at the Isle of Man TT.”

   “I fractured the bones in my upper back, but luckily I didn't damage my spinal cord. It could so easily have been a different story and I'd have wound up paralysed. That's why I decided to support Ride Out and combine my love of tea with motorbikes – all in the name of a good cause! The more money you raise from The Big Brew, the more you'll be able to help with Spinal Research's work to get people who are paralysed walking again and back on their bikes. Please get involved and help us beat paralysis. Cheers,Guy”

   Everyone that takes part in a Big Brew event will be able to enter a free prize draw and one lucky winner and a friend will meet Guy, which is likely to be at Snetterton.

   So get down to Hein Gericke in Belfast on 7th May and help Adelaide Insurance and Hein Gericke raise as much money as they can!

   For more details visit www.guymartinbigbrew.org or www.spinalresearch.org
   

5. Thunder Rally 2 - June 17th-19th

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 5th Apr 2011

   Following the first successful Thunder Rally the time is upon us again for Thunder Rally 2011.

   The first event was planned as a thank you to everyone who supports us throughout the year, to say a huge thank you to the biking community who raised so much money for the charity last year at the Mothers Day Ride, also to say a huge thank you to the people of Wotton Bassett, who regardless of the weather, time of day or year stand out on the streets of that beautiful town and pay their respects to the fallen. Those of you who attended last year will recall the speech made by the Deputy Mayor of Wotton Bassett, in which he thanked all of you for your support of their town. It is also about showing the troops and their families that we haven't forgotten them, and no matter how far away they are from us we still think about them constantly, and wait for the day when they are home safe again.

   Well we are at it again, we have taken your comments on board and this years event is planned to be better in lots of ways, including more shows in the main arena, more attractions for you, bigger shopping village, better ticket pricing with cheaper early bird tickets, a full line up of music for all three days Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well! The camp site is level and is equipped with showers! We will have pre recorded messages from the guys in Afghanistan, as they receive their "comfort boxes" sent by the Charity and funded by your donations.

   So why not come along and spend the weekend with us or even a day you can meet the Charity founders, buy Afghan Heroes merchandise, and have some fun while the kids watch the Equestrian stunt display or the Wall of Death show. Perhaps you want to get your trusty steed on our Dyno machine? Or perhaps buy some new leathers, then stay and listen to the music in the evening. Make a day or weekend of it there is plenty of room with easy parking, and lots of space for camping.

   The rest of the team look forward to seeing you June 17th-19th at Wincanton Race Course, Somerset.

   www.thunderrally.co.uk

   www.afghanheroes.org.uk