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Category: Charity

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

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    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

  2. EXMoD LTD - Information

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    EXMoD LTD - 'Forget-Me-Not', was  founded in 2005 by Anthony Finlay (a former member of HM Forces) who believed there was no provision for homeless ex-servicemen and women in the United Kingdom, especially those suffering from mental illness or addiction. It is a charity run by ex-servicemen for ex-servicemen.

    Tony had served with the British Army for twenty years and found it extremely difficult to adapt to civilian life when he eventually retired. He has been homeless and for three months Tony spent each evening chained to his BMW 1100GS, in a sleeping bag around London and the south west. When he had the money breakfast was at the Ace Cafe, somewhere close to his heart. Upstairs was an old photograph showing  the lorry owned by his father parked outside the Cafe.  For a time he toured the Alps before coming back to the UK and asking for help.  He fully appreciates  the problems encountered and the lack of empathy shown by local authorities to these men and women who have laid their lives on the line for their country.  

    Approximately five years ago, he decided that something needed to be done and wanted to establish a ,safe haven, where any man or woman who had received a  day’s pay from HM Forces, and who, for whatever reason had found themselves homeless would be safe.  He wanted a place where they could stay in a room, or pitch a tent, receive a hot meal and be amongst their own kind. 

    EXMoD LTD, are now at the juncture where they need to relocate and are looking to raise half a million pounds for a suitable property, to enable them to offer further assistance and to prevent the need to turn our former heroes away due to lack of space.  Exmod prides itself in offering assistance to and former serviceman or woman.  Like the RBL and SSAFA our only criteria is that the client has received one full days pay.

    Tony has been riding bikes since he was seventeen, his first bike being a Rayleigh Run About.  His first posting with his regiment was Northern Ireland during the troubles and Tony took it upon himself to purchase a Honda CB125 and travel by bike from his home town of Leicester to his posting.  When his first R&R came up, Tony rode back to Leicester with a small collie pup tucked in his jacket.

    If anyone would like to fund raise on our behalf,we would be extremely grateful. 

    Our Forthcoming Events

    Several charities offer a sponsorship/adoption scheme, well if it good for the goose then it is good for the gander. We cannot promise that the horses, goats, pigs or rabbits  will actually write to you three times a year, because as far as we are aware they are somewhat clumsy with the keyboards.  However, we will write four updates per year send out photographs and allow our sponsors to visit three times a year.

    It has also been suggested that we should arrange a sponsor a hero scheme. The money received will pay for vocational training courses, travel costs, etc.

    If you would like more information, please contact a member of the team or watch the site for further details.

    30th April 2011

    We are hoping that the parents and children involved in The Forces Children’s Trust will accept out invitation to A Day On The Farm. We would like this to be a special day for all concerned and propose to include attractions like pony and carriage rides 4 x 4 off-roading, BBQ and treasure hunt.  Fund permitting we would like to arrange for several fairground rides to be at the venue.

    Once again we are looking for support.  Anyone living in the Northamptonshire area that is able to offer their services are invited to contact the Exmod team.

    May 2011

    We are funding raising and will be holding a promise auction. We have already been offered several fantastic lots but need more. If you have a speedboat, or helicopter or can offer a ride in a side-car and don’t mind giving up your time or you have tickets to a show that you have seen, please donate the same. We need to relocate as quickly as possible and cannot do so without your continued support.

  3. FORMER BMF MAN LEADS ‘THE GREAT ESCAPE 2’

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    Former BMF Public Relations and Communications Director and one time army corporal, Dave Muckle, is leading a team of seven riders, all on Triumph Bonneville’s, on a charity ride that follows the route taken by Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, the mastermind of the plot depicted in the film The Great Escape.

    The Bonnevilles were chosen in homage to Steve McQueen who was famously seen escaping from prison camp Stalag Luft 111, (the scene of the film the Great Escape), by leaping the prison camp fence on a Triumph motorcycle. In fact one of the bikes will be a modern day replica of Steve’s bike and will be auctioned off after the ride as part of the fund-raising attempt.

    The trip, The Great Escape 2, is planned to begin on 4th June 2011 and aims to cover 3,500 miles in two weeks. The Bonnevilles and all riding equipment will be supplied by Triumph Motorcycles through Laguna Motorcycles Of Maidstone, Kent, with Nissan UK providing back up vehicles.

    The aim of the ride is to raise £10,000, to be divided between the charity Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion, assisting in the care of our injured troops. To date just over £6000 has been raised but further donations, large or small, can be made through the website

    The team intend to follow the route of Squadron Leader Bushell from a starting point at former RAF Biggin Hill, via Dover to the beaches of Dunkirk and then through Belgium to sites in Holland, Germany and returning via Trier train station where Roger was caught. After a night in Ypres to take part in the Last Post Parade, they return to Dunkirk and home.

    Full details on the background to the Great Escape and the route to be taken this time around can be found at www.greatescape2.net

  5. Afghan Heroes Wootton Bassett 2011 Registrations Open!

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    Well it's finally time, the mother day ride renamed the "Ride of Respect" has opened registration for 2011.

    The event has been capped to 10,000 bikes and registration opened yesterday 24th November.

    Registration will be on a first come first served basis and we are pleased to say that bookings have been massive during the first sixteen hours of opening.

    All registrations are taken through the Afghan Heroes website and that the price is £10 per person. To avoid disappointment register fast, let the Thunder Roll again...