| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: Organisations
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- In advance of Blue Monday on 16th January, Ben launches new text support service
- Free and confidential support available around the clock for those struggling or in crisis
- Ben is always there for the automotive community – day or night 24/7
January is a tough month for those struggling with their mental health. The festivities are over, it’s a long time until payday and our social media feeds are flooded with everyone we know declaring that ‘this is my year’ and that 2023 will bring a ‘new year, new me’. For some, the new year can indeed feel like a new opportunity, but for others the forced positivity that a new year brings can feel like additional pressure, a difficult standard to live up to.
Ben, the automotive industry charity, regularly sees an increase in demand for support in the winter months and, with Blue Monday fast approaching, has launched a new text service to ensure people who are struggling or in crisis can access free and confidential help any time they need it, day or night.
The text service offers support outside of Ben’s helpline hours (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm), in partnership with Shout. If you need support outside of Ben’s helpline hours, you can simply text the word BEN to 85258. You will then receive four automated messages which will connect you to the next available trained professional who will support you. You will then be able to chat over text about what is troubling you - be it feeling anxious, having relationship issues, experiencing problems with addiction or gambling, feeling lonely, low in mood or depression, dealing with bullying, or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Whatever is on your mind, the Ben team is on hand 24/7 to listen and help you to reach a calmer and safer place and figure out a plan for how to move forward.
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “We are delighted to be launching our text service in advance of Blue Monday as we know this will be a hugely valuable new resource for people who need our help. The fact that people can now contact us and receive support at any time, day or night, means that we can offer potentially life-saving support to our automotive family who may be struggling or in crisis.
“Sometimes people prefer to text rather than speak on the phone, it can be easier to share how we truly feel, to chat discretely if there are others in earshot, or to talk about things that are causing us shame or embarrassment over text rather than having to say them out loud. Our existing webchat during the day and now a dedicated out of hours text support service gives our community another way of accessing vital help and may make a crucial difference to someone who is thinking of harming themselves or taking more drastic action in a time of crisis. We want people to know that we are here, any time, for a judgment-free, confidential chat.”
Between 8pm – 8am you can text BEN to 85258 free and anonymously from all major UK networks – to find out more about Ben’s text support service, visit www.ben.org.uk/get-help/ben-s-text-support-service
Ben is here for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry and their family dependents. If you would benefit from some support or if someone you know might need us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our free and confidential helpline: 08081 311 333, use our webchat at www.ben.org.uk or text BEN to 58258.
When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.
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A symbolic procession of 5986 motorbikes took to the M60 around Stockport on Remembrance Sunday to create a Ring of Red, with bikers paying their respects to the Armed Forces both past and present.
Ring of Red M60 chose Greater Manchester veterans charity, Veterans into Logistics as their charity of the year with donations and merchandise sales going towards training and mentoring veterans into new careers as HGV drivers.
Veterans into Logistics Founder, Darren Wright led the ride out in a truck dedicated to his friend and former soldier Jamie Doyle, who served 22 years in the Royal Artillery but was tragically found dead at home, being unable to cope less than 12 months after leaving the British Army.
Jamie’s mum, Jayne, and daughter Ellie sat with Darren in the truck, keeping Jamie’s memory alive.
The weather was perfect, and bikers wore red to create a poignant visual display, emulating a poppy, as they respectfully joined the M60. It took an hour and 17 minutes for marshals to stagger all the bikes off the forecourt and the camaraderie was on point throughout the day. The Last Post played as the bikers took to the motorway on gleaming bikes adorned with flags and poppies, followed by military vehicles.
The roar of the bikes was immense and the cacophony of engines revving and horns honking was spectacular as crowds congregated on the motorway bridges to wave and cheer on the thousands and thousands of bikers.
Veterans into Logistics Founder, Darren Wright said: “It was deeply moving and very special to lead the Ring of Red M60 Ride of Respect. It meant a lot for me to show Jayne and Ellie the love and appreciation felt for veterans and all those who have fallen, including Jamie.
“It was overwhelming to be part of and I would like to thank organiser Netty Kiely and her team for choosing Veterans into Logistics as their charity of the year.
“Our mission is to reduce poverty and homelessness for veterans and the vulnerable by training and supporting them into new careers as HGV drivers. We know they still have so much to offer future employers after leaving the military and we upskill them and help them find secure and sustainable employment.” 
Veterans into Logistics Trustee and Biker, Heidi Chapman, who rides a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, said: “It was an honour to ride behind Darren Wright and the Veterans into Logistics truck, named in the memory of Jamie Doyle.
“It was a truly special day to lead over 5800 bikers around the M60, symbolising all that the poppy and Remembrance Day stand for.”
Ring of Red M60 event organiser, Netty Kiely said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Ring of Red Remembrance Ride and showing their respect. It's been our pleasure to support Veterans into Logistics this year.
“I couldn't have done this without my committee, volunteers and all the staff at Moto Birch Services.
“It was overwhelming to see so many, at one point queuing past junction 19 trying to get into the services. We had them waiting in the carpark side due to running out of lanes, then when the first five lanes left, we filled them again!
“It was incredible to have our highest turn out yet – with 5986 bikes! Roll on next year!”
Netty and her team now have a well-earned two weeks off before planning and preparation starts for next year’s Ride of Respect which will be the ten-year anniversary.
With numbers increasing year on year, if anyone can make 2023’s event even more incredible, then Netty can!
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Veterans into Logistics, are a non-profit organisation formed to provide training and support to change the lives of ex-forces, individuals with convictions and any other vulnerable people who need help to gain HGV licences and support into paid employment.
|Ther mission is to reduce unemployment and homelessness amongst the ex-military community by creating a pathway for veterans into the transport and logistics industry.
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Veterans into Logistics, a Greater Manchester based charity that trains veterans into new careers as HGV drivers has been chosen as Ring of Red M60’s charity of the year 2022. 
This year’s annual Remembrance Sunday Ride of Respect takes place on Sunday 13th November and all bikers will wear something red to form a spectacular red poppy around Manchester when viewed from above the M60. Organiser, Jeanette ‘Netty’ Kiely said: “It has become a hugely popular physical show of support for the Armed Forces, both past and present. We are delighted to support Veterans into Logistics this year through donations from the sale of our merchandise, as every year we create Ring of Red M60 commemorative merchandise including T-shirts, flags and pin badges.”
Veterans into Logistics COO, Major Ian Battersby said: “We can’t wait to be part of this incredible event on Remembrance Sunday. Our mission is to reduce poverty and homelessness for veterans and the vulnerable by training and supporting them into new careers as HGV drivers. We thank Ring of Red M60 for helping to highlight and support our work, with funds raised going towards training veterans into their new careers.”
The event will be led by Veterans into Logistics’ truck dedicated to Jamie Doyle who served 22 years in The Royal Artillery. He was found dead at home, tragically being unable to cope less than 12 months after leaving the British Army. In 2020, Veterans into Logistics was formed, purchasing their first HGV training vehicle and naming it in memory of Jamie.
Last year 4,400 bikers participated in the Ride of Respect, and this year organisers invite riders to turn up at MOTO Birch Services Westbound from 9am for the ride-out starting at 1pm. The event ends as the bikers return to MOTO Birch Services Eastbound, followed by an invitation to come together at Rochdale Mayfield Rugby Club where there will be military vehicles on display, a Veterans into Logistics merchandise stall and refreshments.
Riders come from across the country to take part in what has fast become a staple in thousands of bikers’ calendars, and they prepare their bikes months in advance to take part in the striking display.
Look out for the amazing aerial photos on Veterans into Logistics’ and Ring of Red M60’s social media pages.
For more information on Veterans into Logistics, visit: www.veteransintologistics.org.uk 
Veterans into Logistics, is a non-profit organisation formed to provide training and support to change the lives of ex-forces, individuals with convictions and any other vulnerable people who need help to gain HGV licences and support into paid employment.
 
The mission is to reduce unemployment and homelessness amongst the ex-military community by creating a pathway for veterans into the transport and logistics industry.
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- Ben and Wellonomics partner to produce pioneering wellbeing app and web portal
- BenWell enables employees to measure their wellbeing in real-time and gives employers timely insight into mental and physical health of their team
- Personalised resources are provided to each individual, tailored to their wellbeing needs
To mark the beginning of World Wellbeing Week, Ben, the automotive industry charity, is proud to announce the nationwide launch of BenWell – its pioneering new wellbeing platform, developed specifically for the automotive industry in partnership with Wellonomics.
Underpinning BenWell is an insight-led app and web portal which automotive businesses can use to take the emotional and physical temperature of their team, enabling companies to better support their employees with their wellbeing.
Each month, employees spend less than 10 minutes answering questions across six key personal wellbeing areas, and five management areas. Once completed, their personal dashboard gives a real-time view of their wellbeing and offers tailored support and guidance from experts in each area, accessed via mobile, tablet or desktop.
From an employer perspective, individual survey results are anonymised but, by tracking key wellbeing indicators via the dashboard, employers get a real time overview of how their employees are feeling about life at home and work, taking the guesswork out of wellbeing and enabling them to be proactive in their response.
If any potential wellbeing issues are identified, employers can create targeted solutions that address their people’s needs, building greater employee satisfaction, retention and productivity for the business.
Ben has been working on the development of this platform since 2021 with wellbeing data specialists Wellonomics, and the new BenWell platform will now be rolled out to automotive businesses across the UK.
In addition to the app and web portal, the complete BenWell package also includes:
- Access to printed wellbeing documentation on a wide range of topics for use around the workplace
- Access to HR Manager Lite from Lawgistics – a HR and compliance platform designed for automotive employers that might not have their own HR function
- Access to a portfolio of Ben Training courses to help teams build self-awareness and good habits that promote resilient mental health
Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income at Ben, said: “For over 115 years, Ben has been on the front line of the automotive industry, supporting members of our automotive family through the toughest times of their lives. And in 2022, we know that this support is needed more than ever before.
“Our most recent industry survey showed us that 94% of automotive workers have been personally affected by a health and wellbeing issue in the last 12 months. That figure is astonishing. Not only does this mean our automotive colleagues have been struggling, it also means that businesses are suffering too. Employee absence, reductions in productivity, low team morale – all of these things are caused by wellbeing issues and ultimately affect the health of your business.
“By partnering with data specialists Wellonomics, we have combined our unique insight into the automotive community with industry-leading technology to produce a platform that we truly believe will help to improve the wellbeing of the automotive family as a whole. We encourage employers to find out more about BenWell and explore the many ways it can help the people in your business who most need it.”
Glen Thurgood, CEO at Wellonomics shared: “It is a real honour to partner with Ben and the product of our successful collaboration is BenWell. We are enormously excited as BenWell is officially launched today and sincerely look forward to being of service to all businesses and people within the automotive family.”
For more information about BenWell click here.
And remember, if you or someone you know is struggling - you can chat with us online, or call our free and confidential helpline on 08081 311 333 (Mon- Fri 8am - 8pm).
When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.
About Ben:
Ben is the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents.
Ben supports individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, empowering them to make positive, lasting change. Ben works with people to improve their lives by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential online self-help, helpline and support services.
Ben also operates continuing care and support for those in later life, which isn’t dependent on an automotive industry connection, via its residential care centres, day centre and retirement village. www.ben.org.uk.
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- Rarest and most significant Ducati motorcycles to be assembled at London’s Honourable Artillery Company this June.
- Exceptional examples from the past 50 years will be united at the capital’s leading concours d’elegance event, charting the rich history of this most storied motorcycle brand.
- 4x World Superbike Champion and Ducati Ambassador, Carl Fogarty, will also appear at this summer’s event, in association with Bikesure
- Sixth annual London Concours to run from the 28th to 30th of June in the heart of the City.
- Tickets on sale now at londonconcours.co.uk/tickets from £35
London, UK (27th May 2022): The London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet, has announced that this June’s event will feature a selection of two wheeled stars from the most iconic and evocative motorcycle brand of all, with its ‘Ode to Ducati’ Ducati. Spanning close to 50 years of the Italian marque’s illustrious history, the remarkable collection of bikes will wow alongside the Concours’ breath-taking array of four wheeled machinery – from spectacular supercars to the finest classics - on the immaculate lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company in the heart of the City.
The wonderful selection of motorcycles from the Bolognese manufacturer will include an example of the rare 750 GT ‘Sandacst’ from late 1971. The bike, Ducati’s first v-twin cylinder machine, was born when Fabio Taglione, or “Dr. T” – Ducati’s longstanding chief designer and technical director - was tasked with building a 750 class bike to compete with the likes of Moto Guzzi, Laverda and of course the Japanese giants. The move into the 750 class was viewed as crucial to the success of the marque; a gateway to significant sales volumes in the USA. Taglione’s proposed low-cost solution was to blend two of Ducati’s well proven small capacity ‘singles’ onto a common crank case, creating a 90-degree V, or “L Twin” as he termed it. The 750 GT, widely praised by journalists in period for its smooth power and sharp handling, represents the genesis of Ducati’s illustrious lineage of V-Twin machines. In order to get production going as quickly as possible, the very early bikes had engines with sandcast cases and many other detail features not seen on the series production machines, which featured die-cast motors. Just 400 out of a total production of some 4,000 GT’s were built this way before the revised “square cased” engine was introduced in 1975. Relatively few of these early bikes have survived, with a small handful at most to be found in the UK. One not to miss.
This summer’s show will feature another ‘70s 750 – the Super Sport, or “Imola Replica” dating from 1974. This, the very first Ducati SS was conceived as a road going version of the race bike that made a stunning debut with the late, great Paul Smart on board, winning the famed 1972 Imola 200 on its first outing. With Smart’s teammate Bruno Spaggiari taking a close second place, Ducati found themselves catapulted from an unknown producer of lightweight single cylinder motorcycles to a major name on the world map of exotic sports machinery. Unsurprisingly, Ducati management, not least ‘Dr T’ were keen to build on this seismic victory with a road-going replica of the winning bike. A limited run of Imola replicas were sanctioned, the first prototypes emerging in late 1973. Following on from the prototypes, just 401 examples of the ‘Replica’ were ‘batch built’ in the spring of 1974 - all under the direct supervision of Taglione in Ducati’s race shop. At a heady £1650, the SS came in at 50% more than Kawasaki’s mighty Z1.
The 750 SS on display this June was one of perhaps 25 bikes at most delivered new to the UK - shipped to its first owner by air freight – and has been cherished ever since by a total of just four owners in 48 years. Often referred to as the “green frame” these 401 bikes were the only round case Ducatis to leave the factory with the iconic “Desmodromic” cylinder heads.
The Honourable Artillery Company will play host to another ‘racing replica’: a 1980 Ducati 900 MHR. The bike is closely affiliated to one of, if not the, greatest racers of all – “Mike the bike” Hailwood. At the age of 38, 11 years after retiring, Hailwood made a comeback appearance at the Isle of Man TT in the Formula 1 class. Riding a modified and specially prepared 900 SS Ducati, he won the 1978 race. This burnished his already god-like reputation among fans, and prompted Ducati to introduce what would become their best-selling bike of the late 70s and early 80s: the 900 “Replica” or MHR. The MHR that will be on display at the HAC this June recently made a pilgrimage to the Isle of Man for the Classic TT, following in Hailwood’s tyre tracks 40 years on from his stunning victory. Much of the credit for the race preparation for the 1978 race goes to Steve Wynne of Sports Motorcycles in Manchester. It’s a source of great satisfaction to the owner of all the bikes on show that it was none other than Steve Wynne who rebuilt the engine and cosmetically refreshed the 1974 750 SS “green frame” also on display.
A Ducati from the late 1980s will also be amongst the bikes on display, an 851 Kit Racer from 1988 – a fuel injected, water-cooled four-valve machine that moved the game on significantly for Ducati sports bikes. The 851 featured an evolved version of Ducati’s two valve, air-cooled ‘Pantah’ engine, revised by its original designer, Massimo Bordi, with a little help from a famed British engineering firm Cosworth. The resulting power plant laid the foundations for 30 years or more of Ducati Superbikes. The road going variant, the “Strada” was initially criticised for its unusual steering characteristics – on account of its 16” wheels - and lack of firepower when compared with Honda’s RC30. The ‘Kit’ rectified things, with power boosted to 120bhp, larger 17-inch magnesium wheels, a braced swinging arm and a close ratio gearbox, amongst other race shop only features. Only 207 examples were built, and the Kit Racer is viewed by some as the most thrilling and visceral of all Ducati’s sports bikes.
This June’s event will also host more modern machinery, including the Ducati D-16 RR of 2008. The 1000cc, four-cylinder D-16 RR - modelled on Ducati’s GP6 Moto GP racer – was a real weapon, offered only to select customers, promising nigh-on Moto GP performance for the road. In the view of the late, highly respected journalist Kevin Ash, Ducati delivered on this promise. Packing a 200bhp V4 (with four valves per cylinder and four cylinders, hence ‘Desmo- 16’) and revving to 14,000 rpm, the D-16 Race Replica offered a lucky few a glimpse of what it was like to pilot a Gibernau or Capirossi factory race Ducati of the period.
The collection of superb Ducatis will also include the 1199 Superlegerra of 2014 – the bike that heralded the end of the road for Ducati’s long line of twin cylinder superbikes. Whilst the v-twin is still found today in Ducati’s middleweight and sports touring models, Ducati waved goodbye to the v-twin Superbike with these exclusive limited-edition models. The Borgo Panegale factory pulled out all the stops, producing two batches of super exclusive “Superlight” ‘twins’ – the 1199 of 2014, and the 1299 of the following year. Just 500 numbered examples of each were delivered worldwide. The 1199 SL that will star at this June’s event retailed at £60,000, produced an eye watering 205bhp, and weighed just 155kg dry – a weight more typical for a 500 or 600cc middleweight sports bike. Packed with the latest in technology and rare materials such as magnesium, carbon fibre and even tungsten – the latter used for components within the engine - the SL was a furious performer. Autocar underscored just how furious by substituting an 1199 SL for a Ferrari La Ferrari when carrying out a supercar test with the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918. The Superleggera matched the 903bhp McLaren P1 and Porsche’s 918 right up to 180mph, even pulling ahead after a standing start, before the cars’ slippery aerodynamics and longer gearing gave them an edge. A rare opportunity to witness this remarkable machine in the metal.
These dramatic Ducatis, and more, will be on show at the Honourable Artillery Company this June, at the capital’s ultimate automotive extravaganza. Carl Fogarty, the 4x World Superbike Champion and Ducati Brand Ambassador, will also make an appearance, on behalf of Bikesure, the ‘Ode to Ducati’ class co-sponsor. Fogarty will be chatting with Dave Vitty and Jason Plato, from the Fuelling Around podcast on Wednesday 29th June.
Further class announcements will follow in the coming weeks, as we build towards the 6th edition of our unmissable event.
Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said:
“It gives us great pleasure to reveal this latest exciting class, which will bring the most spectacular bikes from the most evocative motorcycle manufacturer of all to the heart of London. Ducati is a magnetic brand that holds great allure for anyone with a drop of petrol in their veins. The superb selection, along with the fantastic array of supercars and iconic classics, is set to make this June’s show the most special yet.
“Guests to the Honourable Artillery Company will be treated to a truly special array of cars, along with a decadent range of food and drink options, and a carefully curated line-up of luxury brands and boutiques. London Concours 2022 is set to be another occasion of total automotive indulgence.”
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