As motorcyclists we all know the amount of fundraising events for good causes and charities that goes on each year that are organised and run by motorcyclists, clubs and motorcycle organisations. 

In Northern Ireland riders raise thousands of pounds each year for these various causes from Children’s Wards, Christmas Appeals, MRI Scanner Appeals, Dog Homes, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the NABD (National Association of Bikers with a Disability) and many more.      

These events are replicated across the UK, but this time, funding raising with a difference has reach our inbox from the Boundary 500 Motorcycle group based in England.      

The group has received the blessing of pre-eminent folk duo The Proclaimers and now look set to launch one of the year’s most unlikely attempts at making the pop charts.      

The Boundary 500 Motorcycle group has enlisted the help of North-East band The Happy Cats, fronted by ex-Lindisfarne vocalist Marty Craggs, in re-recording I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers’ signature song.  Sales of the song will raise money for two of the region’s best-loved charities, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.

The lyrics of the song have been changed to reflect the bikers’ dedication to the two causes, and the song itself has been given the new title I’m Gonna Ride 500 Miles.   Brian Laverick, leader of the Boundary 500 group, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work putting this together, but the end product is something I think we can be really proud of. We even got the thumbs up from The Proclaimers themselves. Song sales of about 3,000 in the week should see us enter the top 40 which would be a phenomenal achievement in itself, but would also raise lots of money for these two great charities.”  

Mark Guidery, chief executive at Zoë’s Place, said: “Brian and his group continue to amaze us with their fundraising efforts. We hope residents of the region get behind the group’s latest efforts and provide a real boost to our fundraising in the run up to Christmas.”  

Grahame Pickering, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “The charities get a donation for every single sold, so we are hoping all our supporters get behind this fantastic fundraiser.”   The Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group was formed in June 2006 and was established primarily to support GNAAS and later added to its nominated charities Zoë's Baby Hospice.  

The Group takes its name from the approximate distance around the boundary area of the air ambulance charity. Every year, bikers from the group ride the 500 mile journey to boost fundraising. It has raised more than £310,000 for GNAAS and £106,000 for Zoë’s Place since it began.  

In a statement, Charlie and Craig Reid, of the Proclaimers, said: “Our very best wishes to the Happy Cats’ and everyone in the Boundary 500”  

 The song is available for 79p via iTunes and in CD and DVD format for £3 at www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/shop

At Right To Ride we think that the Boundary 500 may be on to a hit with the recording of the Proclaimers 500 miles/bikes.

The Boundary 500 say, “Please help us make this a Christmas number 1.”   Information   The Groups next major event is on Saturday 8th December 2012 when they hold their annual 22 miles Motorcycle Santa Ride for Zoë's Baby Hospice.

Further details are on the Groups web site.   www.boundary500.co.uk