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Category: Charity
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The third annual Prescott Bike Festival took place on Sunday 7 April 2013 and raised in excess of £35,000 for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and one of its member groups, Severn Freewheelers.
 The event attracted more than 4,500 visitors who enjoyed an action-packed day where rare classic, modern and famous bikes took to the historic hill, from Nortons, BSAs and Velocettes, to extreme custom Choppers and well-known superbikes such as the John Reynolds ex-Reve Red Bull Ducati 996RS Championship bike and the David Jeffries' Suzuki GSXR1000 TT (which will be appearing at the Isle of Man TT next month for his 10th anniversary of Davids death).
The festival was supported by many motorcycle clubs and dealers including those representing Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Enfield, Triumph, AJP, Harley, Victory, BMW and KTM. Speaking at the event Chris Waldron, General Manager of the Blade Group said “We have supported Prescott Bike Festival for the past three years; the event is an obvious place for us to showcase our three brands, Triumph, Harley Davidson and Victory. It’s great to be able to take our showrooms outdoors to a large dedicated motorcycle audience at a convenient and unique event”.
Despite the unseasonably cold weather, all 200 tickets for members of the public to “Ride the hill” were sold out months in advance, as was the special feature this year, “Happy Hour” - the public’s opportunity to see, hear, get up close and watch some special motorcycle machinery.
Not surprisingly, passenger thrill rides in an Aprilia sidecar, the new Morgan Three Wheeler, the Carver One and the Scorpion 3 sold out. Throughout the day there were demonstrations by the Scott Redding Mini Moto Academy, Simon Welsh Trials Team featuring the Youth Development Squad, Skyzone Racings’ Chris Hodgson (current British Supermoto Champion), the NHCA Masters, the Classic 50cc Racing Club and motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders, who has motorcycled around the world seven times.
Off track, the paddock was crammed with bike displays, motorcycle trade stands and a host of entertainment with live music from UK hot rocking band, Josie and the Outlaws, and covers band, Come Up and See Me. In addition there were roaming actors from the 501st Garrison, the world’s largest and most accurate Star Wars costuming club, and, back by popular demand, the George Formby look-a-like from the motorcycle film, No Limit? One particular highlight was a surprise appearance from the Cheltenham Pipe Band – who says motorcyclists aren’t eclectic!
In amongst the fun, were serious messages too - exhibitor Chris Harrison, Motorcycle Coordinator from the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership said “Prescott Bike Festival is a prime place to get the Think Bike message out there to a large motorcycle audience. We are here today to provide advice to riders about the training available locally through Bikesafe, IAM and RoSPA and other precautionary measures that riders can take out on the road. In Gloucestershire 84% of all motorcycle collisions involve another vehicle, and whilst it’s hoped they will never be needed, we are handing out free crash cards. Its a scheme where a rider places a crash card inside their helmet providing emergency contact details for ambulance crews in case they are injured in an accident. So far we have distributed over 3,000 in the county and 500,000 nationally”.
Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, said, “Prescott Bike Festival raises vital funds for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, it’s the charity's biggest fundraising event of the year and we are delighted that it has become a firm annual fixture in the motorcycle calendar. We are hugely grateful to all the exhibitors, bike clubs, dealers, marshals, volunteers and visitors who continue to support us and have helped make the event such a success. Plans for the 2014 event are already underway”.
Cheltenham Mayor, Councillor Colin Hay, came to support the event, he is a volunteer Blood Bike rider with the Gloucestershire branch of the Severn Freewheelers. When asked “so why do you do it”, he simply replied “I love riding, it is so rewarding being a volunteer. The hospitals are so grateful for the service that even on the bleakest of nights when you are freezing cold on a call out, you don’t mind, you have a sense of purpose – that ride just might save a life. What a terrific way for me to use my hobby for another benefit”.
 Did you 'Ride the Hill' at Prescott Bike Festival? If so, why not buy a picture of your hill run, using the link on the Prescott Bike Festival website.
All proceeds from pictures bought will be donated to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes.
The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes is the umbrella organisation representing 24 regional blood bike charities, all providing a motorcycle-based, free delivery service to the NHS; moving vital medical supplies, blood and pathology samples from medical centres and hospitals throughout the UK. Recently NABB member groups have become involved in the transport of frozen human milk from the donor to the milk processing hospitals. This has been a real lifesaver due to the necessity of very premature babies having intolerance to anything but human milk.
Run entirely by volunteers, NABB member groups have over 1500 active members with a fleet of 88+ emergency response vehicles. All NABB riders are trained in the movement of medical essentials and operate from individual regional charities but with a common goal – to alleviate suffering and reduce the funding pressures on the NHS. NABB was formed in 2010 and is chaired by Gordon Downie, from Gloucestershire.
Severn Freewheelers is the regional Blood Bike group operating in Gloucestershire, Hereford & Worcester and North Wiltshire. Over 70 volunteers help Severn Freewheelers carry out a much-needed service. Severn Freewheelers runs four BMW R1200RTs and a Honda ST1300, all are emergency response equipped and the members handle some 3,500 call outs per annum, covering 140,000 miles. ?They work from 7pm in the evening to 7am the following day and all day at weekends. Each "shift" consists of four people, three riders and a dispatcher. The dispatcher fields calls from the hospitals and plans the route for the evening based on the calls received. Emergency calls are obviously dealt with first and for these we use blue lights. All riders are volunteers. All receive extra training in emergency response riding and go through a first aid course. In short, a professional team delivering a professional service, FREE to the NHS at the point of use.
Volunteers join for many different reasons. Below are just three examples:
After spending two years watching my mother be treated by the NHS for cancer I wanted to do what I could, to give something back, to say "thank you". I joined Severn Freewheelers and have spent two years riding and helping deliver our service to our customers. I think my mum would have approved. Paul
Although I was aware of SFW from its formation, it was only during my late wife Lindsey's hospital treatment that their day-to-day work became apparent. During her inpatient treatment at Cheltenham & Bristol hospital out of hours, units of blood and platelets were delivered by SFW and the Avon team. Although Lindsey did not survive we were grateful to everybody involved for giving her the best opportunity to overcome her leukemia. David
My elder son was diagnosed with leukemia when he was two and a half and since then I have given blood, whole and platelets, as I saw how much he needed of both. Joining SFW was an extension of this and a way of helping a health service that gave him so much. He was treated in Gloucester & Bristol hospital and is now a large, robust 28 year-old. Ian Stockwell
Severn freewheelers are a charity organisation and are always looking for help. If you feel that you would like to volunteer to either ride, dispatch, provide help with event fundraising, or offer financial aid, sponsorship or product – please contact us at www.severnfreewheelers.co.uk, or contact Edward on: 01527 544 292
To sustain Severn Freewheelers need around £28,000 per annum to provide the service. It is estimated that the service saves the NHS some £280,000. Please see below where the money goes:
• £300 pays for fuel for one motorcycle for one month • £400 pays for one motorcycle’s annual insurance premium • £600 pays for our liability insurance for a year • £1,000 pays for six months depreciation for one motorcycle • £2,000 pays for our motorcycle servicing costs for one year • £7,000 enables us to buy a new motorcycle • £7,500 enables to fully run one motorcycle for one year
Your contribution, however small, could save someone’s life, maybe your own...
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Last summer over one hundred Surrey bikers took to the country lanes for the Wheels For Troops event, raising well over £1,000 for charities benefitting troops.
This year, organiser Mandy Jenkins is planning a bigger and better event. Over the weekend of 13-14 July 2013, bikers, cyclists and any other ‘wheel riders’ from around the county are invited join forces for a weekend of activities at the Fox Revived pub in Horley to raise funds.
On Saturday the main focus will once again be upon the many motorbike riders, with a 25mile ride out through Surrey show respect for the fallen at points along the route. Starting at 10am on the Saturday, participants will meet at The Fox Revived and enjoy a warm welcome with bacon butties available before the ride-out, before returning to the pub for a day of live music, great food, drink, craft stalls, fun and games which will continue on the Sunday, along with other types of Wheeled Transport, whilst events and activities in the large pub garden continue. Royal British Legion Riders will marshal Saturday’s ride-out. Participants are asked to make a £10 donation to take part in the ride and in return will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
Riders are asked to pre-register via email on [email protected].
Mandy Jenkins, organiser commented: “The charities are close to my family’s hearts, as my eldest son is currently serving in The Princes of Wales Royal Regiment, so I am particularly dedicated to this event, especially after the success of last year. I’m delighted that Jon and Paula from The Fox Revived have agreed to help us once again with the event – I’m sure it’s going to be a really special weekend and one that will raise much needed funds.” Jon Briscoe, who along with his wife, Paula, owns the Fox Revived pub, said: “Wheels For Troops was an amazing event last year; I was even persuaded to dust the leathers off and join in! When Mandy approached us about the event again for this year we were delighted to help. We’ve built a business here that’s about the community and the level of support we’ve seen for this event shows that the community cares – it will be an honour to help facilitate this and we’re really looking forward to it being bigger and better!”
www.wheelsfortroops.co.uk
www.facebook.com/wheelsfrotroops
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BBC News reported last week, that the RAC Foundation along with Fair Fuel UK were calling upon the Chancellor to cut fuel duty in the budget this month in order to relieve hardship for members of the public.
It was quoted that a quarter of people’s salaries are spent on running their cars. In some areas fuel has risen by as much as 4p in a week, yet more than half of the price of a litre of unleaded at the pumps is tax and VAT. Both petrol and diesel are approaching record levels, yet little, if anything has been reported about the impact that the soaring fuel tax has on charities that such as The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, who each year are forced to meet such costs.
The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, human breast milk and other urgently required medical items to hospitals and special baby units - completely free of charge. It is run by dedicated volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their time or costs, allowing the NHS to divert funds to where they are needed most. This out of hour’s medical essentials courier service completely depends on public donations.
Ahead of the budget on March 20 2013 - the charity has launched a campaign to force a debate about tax cuts for them and other 'blood bikes' operating in the UK. The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes have lodged a petition with the Treasury, calling on the government to have an urgent review of this situation and in doing so, to call upon the government to return in the form of grants to Bloodbike member groups all future fuel duty which the Treasury collects from them.
So far over 1400 people have signed the petition which closes tomorrow! http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31185
National Association of Bloodbikes Treasurer Gordon Downie said: "Our fuel costs are just going up and up and that makes it very difficult for us to continue our vital service. With no assistance or government funding, charities like ours are already feeling the strain on the recession, but it’s the fuel costs that hits us the hardest, not getting any exemption from fuel duty. We are hoping people will back our campaign to force the Government to debate that matter. Allowing The National Association of Blood Bike groups to recoup fuel duty would not only assist us, but to the public and NHS at large – as we could be able expand the vital service operations throughout the country.”
Will your next journey save a life?
Why do we need The National Association of Blood Bikes...
The National Health Service does not have unlimited resources. One area that is very costly to the NHS is courier services. Most hospitals operate an internal courier service to ferry diagnostic specimens, blood, notes, x-rays, scans and other medical equipment between themselves and other hospitals in the area. These services generally operate during office hours, which means that in the evening and at weekends the hospitals need to make alternative provision for items that need to be transported there and then. In many cases this alternative provision is to use a taxi. With taxi rates around £2 per mile and even more at night, it doesn't take much for a hospital to run up huge bills. In the South West of England, for example, NHS Blood and Transplant have a regional processing and distribution centre at Filton near Bristol. Many hospitals across the South and South West of England send samples to Filton for urgent cross-matching. This can involve journeys such as 100 miles from QA Hospital in Portsmouth costing £240, or 80 miles from the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital costing £190, but the blood bikes that do this for free, often working together so that a blood bike group in one area hands over at the edge of its area to their neighbouring group. This relay approach used by blood bike guards against rider fatigue on long journeys, ensuring safe and efficient transport of precious cargo as well as protecting rider safety.
So why should blood bike groups do this? It is very simple - if they didn't then more money would have to be found from the taxpayer. Blood bike volunteers give their time, and sometimes their own money, freely. In 2010, just one NABB member group made 2,500 deliveries and travelled over 100,000 miles at a cost of around £25,000 - all of which was paid for by charitable donations. If the NHS had used taxis for the same journeys it would have cost more than £120,000. If hospitals had tried to do it using their own motorcycles and paid staff it would have cost closer to £300,000.
Saving Lives
There are times when blood or other medical items need to be transported urgently because a patient's life is at risk. A blood bike can be relied upon to respond quickly and move with ease through busy traffic, even if it is not fitted with emergency lights and sirens. Furthermore the groups can guarantee to be available after 11:00pm on a Saturday night when the chances of getting a taxi to respond in less than an hour would be slim. To steal from the Mastercard advertisements, Taxi - £100, Commercial courier - £80, Blood Bike - £0, saving a patient's life - priceless!
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Following the huge success of the two previous events, the third annual Prescott Bike Festival on Sunday 7 April 2013 will be even bigger and better with many more bike manufacturers involved, a large display of historic, modern and race bikes in the paddock, more bike clubs than ever and lots of entertainment for all the family.
Most recently, we've had confirmation of several rare and interesting bikes that will at the Festival. These include the following bikes on display:
- David Jeffries' Suzuki GSXR1000 TT bike
- James Toseland' s first World Superbike, a Honda CBR600
- The original Old Spice Ducati 916 British Superbike
- The ex-Reve Red Bull John Reynolds Ducatti 996RS Championship bike
The many interesting bikes in action during the day now include the following:
- Tony Hudson's 1963 replica works Honda, four-cylinder, 250cc racer as ridden by Jim Redman, Mike Hailwood etc. It looks and sounds just like the real thing and revs to 16,000 just like the 1960’s works bikes
- The ex-BSB Honda CBR1000 entered by North Glos Road Racing Club, ridden by Johnny Rea and prepared by HM Plant for Red Bull Racing
Also entered by North Glos Road Racing Club, the ex-Black Horse Kawasaki ZX10 Superstock bike ridden by Connor Cummins then Victor Cox.
For bikers who enjoy classic machinery, Adrian Sellars is bringing his 1956 Norton Manx and a reverse-head 350cc Norton. He will be joined by Clive Hurst with a 1974 three-cylinder, two-stroke 1974 Kawasaki and a 1975 1000cc PEM Kawasaki.
As an event to raise awareness and funds for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and one of its member groups, Severn Freewheelers, the first annual Prescott Bike Festival in 2011 attracted in excess of 5,500 visitors and raised more than 52,000 for charities. The 2012 Prescott Bike Festival attracted more exhibitors, had even better displays, was visited by more celebrities and raised more money for charities.
After attending last year, MotoGP commentator, Steve Parrish, said: "I had a really great day at the Prescott Bike Festival. I was like a kid in a sweet shop with other like-minded petrol-heads. Riding a 220mph grand prix Ducati up a hill that I hadn't seen before certainly got my attention. Then I was given the keys to a brand new Morgan three-wheeler to take prize winners for a run. I can think of no better way to spend a Sunday."
The Prescott Bike Festival 2013 will build on the success of the previous years by introducing a number of new features. These include a 'Happy Hour' an hour of activity on the hill featuring rare race machinery and factory bikes – in fact, anything that's special, different, rare or exotic. This is no static display; every entry to Happy Hour will Run the Hill. Not only will spectators be able to get close to some really special kit, they can hear it fire up and Run the Hill.
During the day, spectators who purchased Run The Hill tickets (now sold out but there are still plenty of General Admission tickets available) also have two opportunities to ride their own bike up the famous Prescott Hill Climb course
Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, says, “Obviously the unique opportunity to ride the hill is a major attraction, but the Prescott Bike Festival promises so much more. With all major motorcycle manufacturers in attendance, fans will get the chance to see all the major models up close and personal, a host of trade stands as well as famous racers and great lunchtime entertainment too. The festival really is set to offer something for every motorcycle fan.”
Other features of the Prescott Bike Festival 2013 include:
Dealer stands from the likes of Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Enfield, Triumph, AJP, Harley, Victory, BMW and KTM
Demonstrations throughout the day by 10 times British Trials Champion, Steve Saunders
A demonstration of the exciting new motorcycle sport, Moto Gymkhana
An opportunity to meet celebrities including Nick Sanders (who has motorcycled around the world seven times) and Chris Hodgson (current British Supermoto Champion)
Thrilling passenger experiences on a variety of machinery
Plus more than 100 trade stands
There will also be many displays of bikes of all ages and types including:
Ducati Sporting Club's Desmo Due one-make race series
The Classic 50cc Racing Club – 50cc racing machines and their riders from the early beginnings around 1953, through the classic period and up to the time when the class was dropped from GPs in 1983
Leominster Classic Club
The National Chopper Club – showcasing extreme custom bikes
Musical entertainment will include covers band, Come Up and See Me, and (returning by popular demand), 1950s inspired rockabilly, rock & roll and R&B band, Josie and the Outlaw.
Set at one of the most prestigious hill climb venues in the UK against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswold countryside, the Prescott Bike Festival aims to provide something for everyone; a relaxed family atmosphere, a huge variety of entertainment and a rare opportunity to ‘Run the Hill’ on your own motorcycle. All proceeds from the day will go to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.
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)
Car parking is £3 per vehicle.
Disabled access: there are a limited number of on-site parking spaces available. When full, there is an overflow facility close to the main car park entrance point. Note that this terrain can be a little rough in inclement weather as it is a hill climb venue.
To purchase tickets in advance visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk
Gates open at 08:30 and track action begins at 10:00. The festival closes at 17:00.
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On the 5th June 2010, I lost my late husband very suddenly to a road traffic accident.
Leaving me a widow with two sons, one of whom is an adult with severe learning difficulties, uncontrolled epilepsy and autism. My youngest son just 11 years of age at the time.
My late husband was a Freemason and a member of the Widows Son, a masonic motorcycle organisation, founded by Carl Davenport from America, the organisation is worldwide. And was founded to aid and assist widows and orphans of Master Masons.
When I lost my late husband, I decided I wanted to try and make something positive out of my grief and founded an motorcycle awareness organisation. Naming it Dying to Ride, I contacted Carl Davenport and told him about my late husband, and how he was also a member of his Widows Son organisation.
He helped to promote, through his masonic channels Dying to Ride. To try and cut a long story short, we kept on talking and Carl invited me out to Florida, so we could meet. We had already fallen in love with each other at this point.
And we married on the 24th March 2011. Carl, came to the UK to be with me and the boys in April 2011, but only on a visitors visa, as we were both unaware of immigration rules etc. He had to leave the country after 6 months, but returned again withina couple of weeks. This has been our situation up until 12th February this year.
When Carl last entered the country last August he was not informed by this same lady that he was limited as to how many times he could enter this country on a visitors visa nor was he informed that when he leaves again after his visitors visa has expired he would not be allowed back in the country.
Before Carl left for America, I called the UK Border Helpline, to enquire on any rules, that may stop Carl from re-entering England. I was told, it was up to the discretion of the airport's border control staff. And that in their opinion if Carl has been living by the rules and regulations of the United Kingdom, while here on his visitors visa, then there should not be a problem on him entering the UK on another visitors visa.
Carl has respected the rules and regulations of our country, he has shown to be a very loving supportive husband and step father, he has made many good friends here who like and respect him, and are shocked and saddened as to how are family have been torn apart.
If she had informed Carl when he last entered the country, that he would not be allowed back into the UK, we would have taken steps to apply for the Spouse visa when it was time for Carl to leave the country and apply in his own country. Given us time to prepare the boys for Carl to be temporarily apart from us while his application was being assessed, therefore lessening the effect on the boys emotionally.
This is causing great heartache and hardship on our family, I am now left alone to care for my eldest son, and supporting my youngest son as he is feeling distraught at his step-father being sent back to America, as Carl helped to ease my son's grieving and has brought happiness back into his life, he has been helping me with all aspects of caring duties with my eldest son. Which I am now having to take on the full caring duties again, which is very hard when you are on your own, given the level of care my son needs.
As my son also has autism, this is having a detrimental effect on his behavior. As his routine with Carl and I, has been thrown into disarray. With a knock on effect of him taken more seizures than he would normally suffer.
When I tried to explain to the lady at Border Control, about my son, she cut me off coldly and abruptly not wanting to hear what I had to say. Telling me my personal family life with my son was not an issue.The only thing she was interested in doing was sending Carl back to America.
I am appealing to you, to sign this petition and help re-unite a family, what this lady at Border Control has coldly and abruptly torn apart, all because we have not yet applied for a spouse visa.
Teresa Mills-Davenport
Sign the petition
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