Category: Charity

1. The You've Been Nabbed rally is moving to a new venue for 2017!

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 19th Dec 2016

   It will be held at The Royal Cheshire Showground, Flittogate Lane, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HJ on 5th - 7th May 2017 

   The You’ve Been Nabbed rally is the main annual showcase/fundraising event of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD).

   The new rally site has hard-standing on two sides so it should not be as vulnerable to being churned-up in wet weather as the old Astle Park site was on two recent occasions. The new site is also much easier to secure, though our traditional professional security company will still be providing cover on the site.

   There are three separate marquees, each boasting live on-stage entertainment, disco and licenced bar. Unlike many other events the marquees are liberally furnished with tables and chairs (because creature-comforts are important!) though wide clearways are maintained to allow easy access for wheelchair users.

   The event also has excellent toilet facilities throughout the site that are constantly maintained and hot showers are also available on site.

   The huge ‘Adult’s Only Marquee’ plays host to eight live bands over the weekend, with a full-blown world-class stand-up comedy road show on Saturday afternoon, filling the marquee with laughter for four solid hours and there are ‘exotic dancers’ on Saturday night, and a well-stocked bar offering a comprehensive range of canned beers, wines and spirits much cheaper than pub prices (and cheaper than most other rallies too).

   The ‘Family Marquee’ plays host to six live bands, over the weekend, and an excellent disco plus a smaller bar offering a comprehensive range of soft drinks, canned beers, wines and spirits (also at low prices).

   The ‘Real Ale Marquee’ plays host to nine very diverse music acts ranging from solo singer/songwriters to duos and outright legends, with a bar offering a vast range of traditional real ales and ciders that would put many a real-ale festival to shame.

   When you consider that canned beers and spirits are very reasonably priced at £1.50 and the real ales and ciders are just £2.50 per pint, you can see why the NABD has an excellent reputation for not treating bikers as ‘cash cows’. When you add to this the surprisingly eclectic range of live music and other entertainment on offer you can see why this event has become universally recognised as the best-value-for-money rally in the UK.

   In addition to the huge amount of marquee-based entertainment the YBN rally features an iconic Bike & Trike Show (this year sponsored by Back Street Heroes magazine) running throughout the afternoon from 12 noon until 6:00pm showcasing an enormously diverse range of machines from the sublime to the idiosyncratic with 12 highly coveted trophies up for grabs. Please note, all Bike & Trike show entries must be ridden in.

   The Custom Bike & Trike Show takes place within a huge circuit-style arena formed by the marquees and more than 50 assorted trade stands with 10 catering units offering a wide range of cuisines, a shooting range, and a 24 hour ‘Holy Joe’s Café operated by the Cheshire branch of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA).

   The hardest things to describe about this event are the marvellous party atmosphere and the wonderful level of camaraderie amongst the 3,000+ people in attendance. To understand these things you just have to attend.

   It is a common misconception that you have to be an NABD member or a disabled biker to attend this superb event but in truth everybody is welcome. This is a fully inclusive event and we don’t care how you get there, whether by bike, trike, car, van, campervan, train or Shanks’s Pony; just so long as you get there.

   The proceeds from this event are essential to the continuing existence of the NABD so come along, bring your friends; help us to celebrate 26 years of the NABD in style and party with a purpose!

   The You’ve been Nabbed rally has earned itself a fine reputation as the undisputed best-value-for-money weekend event on the UK motorcycling calendar, with tickets costing just £30 in advance, or £35 at the entrance to venue, for a weekend that is absolutely bursting with entertainment and activity.

   Of course, weekend camping is included in the price of the ticket as is motorcycle and trike parking. Car parking does cost extra, though it is free for people who have a blue disabled parking badge.

   The cost of car parking for people without a blue badge has been halved to ten pounds for 2017 in response to many requests from event regulars; however, cars without blue badges will have to remain in a designated car-parking area and will not be permitted onto the camping areas at any time.

   A full list of prices is available at www.nabd.org.uk

   The entrance to the showground is on Pickmere Lane adjacent to the junction with Flittogate Lane. Less than 1.5 miles from Junction 19 of the M6 motorway (turn right at the Windmill Pub 100 yards from the M6 roundabout and follow Pickmere Lane (B5391) to the showground entrance on the left just after Flittogate Lane).

   www.nabd.org.uk

   Regular updates will be posted on the website and at www.facebook.com/YouveBeenNabbed26

   The NABD is a registered charity, established in 1991, that helps and supports disabled motorcyclists.

   

2. Hapless Biker’ Donates Royalties to Blood Bike Charity

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 1st Nov 2016

   Kevin Turner, author of the Hapless Biker series of travel books, will be donating his royalties to Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes (SSBB), his local group of life-saving riders, for all book sales from 1st November 2016 to 30th April 2017. Kevin’s publisher, Veloce Publishing, will match the author’s sales royalties, essentially doubling Kevin’s donation.  

   Kevin’s books, Bonjour! Is This Italy? and From Crystal Palace to Red Square tell of his adventures throughout Europe, Scandinavia and into Russia, first riding a Suzuki SV650S and then on his ’02 Kawasaki Ninja.

   Explaining why he’d chosen to donate to this worthwhile cause, Kevin said: “I really wanted to do a charity ride or a sponsored adventure, but I have twin boys that have just turned two and finding time for a big ride was out of the question. But I realised I could essentially recycle my past journeys in the sense of donating the sales from my books; it’s not quite as exciting as getting out on the road but at the end of the day, it’s about supporting my local Blood Bikers, not going on holiday.”

   SSBB is a volunteer service, providing emergency transportation of blood products, for free, to NHS hospitals across Shropshire, Staffordshire and South Cheshire. 

   Nigel Howells, Fleet Manager at SSBB said: “Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes rely on donations to maintain our machines and support our riders. Our riders embark on mini-adventures every time they head off on a potentially life-saving journey; although we like to think we’re a little better prepared than Kevin seems to be! We’re delighted to accept this donation; we’re sure readers will enjoy Kevin’s entertaining books while at the same time supporting our life-saving work.”

   If you’d like to support Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes and enjoy a good read in the process, Kevin’s books and e-books, Bonjour! Is This Italy? and From Crystal Palace to Red Square are available to buy from Amazon.

   You can find more information about them on Kevin’s website.

   www.haplessbiker.com

     

3. Africa's 1st Ladies Motorcycle Maintenance Workshop needs your help!

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 10th Oct 2016

   3 years ago, Claire Elsdon arrived into Capetown, having left London a year earlier alone on her Suzuki DRZ 400s to ride the length of Africa. Along the way, her understanding of how high quality motorcycle maintenance can play a major part in reducing the soaring road traffic death toll in Africa was born, along with her appreciation for the importance of giving opportunities to women to learn practical skills, which they can earn a sustainable living from for their families. As a result, earlier this year she moved to Tanzania to set up Africa's first motorcycle maintenance workshop staffed by female apprentices, called Pikilily.

   The good news is that Pikilily now has a workshop space near Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Tanzania, just a stone's throw from town. This workshop will provide a place for women apprentices to learn their very first motorcycle maintenance skills and before too long, open the gates to paying customers, enabling them to earn an income. 

   Many of Pikilily's customers will come from the 4,000 motorcycle taxi drivers in Mwanza, who are in great need of a reliable, safe & good value motorcycle maintenance service - impossible to find at present. Consequently right now, poor maintenance is costing riders precious time and take-home pay, but also sadly too often, their own lives and that of their paying passengers.

   Claire and the team can't wait to help and get started in our workshop but first, they need to raise some money to make it possible!

   They need to raise £500 to complete the refurb of the workshop. This would pay for watertight roof on entire premises, secure door and metal grill window to store room plus gates to main entrance, levelling and concrete the floor smooth in apprentice working area, fitting seating and working space in training room/office area and painting the Pikilily mural.

   In addition, they need to raise the funds to pay the next 12 months worth of rent - its £50 a month.

   They need tools, materials and equipment to equip each of the 5 workbenches in the apprentice area. The list is long but to give you an idea, a spanner would cost roughly £5, pliers £10, brake bleeding kit £30, set of torque wrenches £50.

   Ideally they would also like 2 small motorcycles on which to train the ladies in motorcycle maintenance. Such motorcycles retail at around $1000 each.

   To say thank you, a "Wall of Thanks" will form the backdrop to their work area. Names, countries and messages of support of those donating to this campaign will be written on there, nestled around the Pikilily logo mural, reminding apprentices each day of their friends across the globe who helped make this community project possible. The wall will appear in the regular workshop vlogs that Claire has been putting out since the start of the campaign.

   If you would like to donate, here is the link - www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pikilily

   www.pikilily.com 

4. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Manchester 2016

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 25th Sep 2016

   A great turnout for The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Manchester
   
   

   
   
   See more here

   Great bikes and lots of very dapper folk @ Youles Triumph Manchester.
   
   

   25th September 2016
   The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

   For one day a year, however, thousands of Distinguished Gentleman (and genteel ladyfolk) in hundreds of cities worldwide press their cravats, starch their tweed and sit astride their classic-styled motorcycles to raise funds for prostate cancer research and awareness. 

   It’s a day all about spreading merriment, while raising awareness of a really important issue, that affects 1 in 8 blokes across the world. The fundraising supports research into Men's Health by bringing together dapper riders of classic machines, cafe racers, bobbers, custom motorcycles, trackers and undefinable two-wheeled creations.

   The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper and the style of classic custom motorcycles. What does that mean, you ask? Think: Monocles, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, crisp shirts and tailored suits. Ride: Café Racers, Bobbers, Flat Trackers, Scramblers and quirky, undefinable two-wheeled machines. The styles of bike should be reflective of classic motorcycle nature. Think 1970's and the decades before them. Do: Bring your finest manners, neatest beards and a sense of fun and adventure.

   Pay: Nothing to ride (entry is free); but please consider helping our charities by getting your friends and family to sponsor your involvement. Or buy a patch, cap or tshirt. Every little bit helps. Dapper for a Cause: Where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. 
   
   In 2014, there was 20,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in 258 cities across 57 countries. 
   In 2015, there was 50,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in over 500 cities across 90 countries; straddle the saddle in the name of men’s health. 
   In 2016, there was over 55,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in over 500 cities across 90 countries; straddle the saddle in the name of men’s health. 

   venue: Thousands of riders in 500+ cities across the globe will ‘join the gentry’ on a ride to raise money for the Prostrate Cancer Foundation. Please note below are UK and Ireland events. Lots more listed on the website and facebook - Manchester event 
   website: www.gentlemansride.com
   facebook

5. Supporting Charities

   Posted on 2:00pm Thursday 18th Aug 2016

   As somebody who has been the voluntary and totally-unpaid chairman of a successful registered charity for almost 24 years, few things anger me quite as much as greedy and immoral ‘charity professionals’ whose only reason for being involved in any charity is blatant greed and self-interest. Not one of these vastly over-paid ‘executives’ would have any involvement in these charities if they were not receiving a big fat pay cheque and a ‘generous expenses package’ as they euphemistically refer to the open-chequebook used for their own convenience and comfort.

   Most bikers are rightly proud of their long history of supporting charitable causes; I just wish they would take the time to find-out how much of their support would be syphoned away by overpaid staff and/or greedy middle-men before deciding which charities to support.

   The charity sector is riddled with these gravy-train charities, Save the Children, Help for Heroes, Cancer Research UK and so many others should be taken to task for such blatant piracy but there seems little political will to do so and the much-vaunted ‘Charities Commission’ has fewer teeth than a daffodil when it comes to controlling the unbridled rapaciousness of many charity executives.

   The only way these grasping bastards will ever be put out to pasture is if enough of the public get wise to their unconscionable greed and withdraw their support.

   In 2015 twelve of the top 100 charities paid their highest earners more than £300,000 and thirty two of the top 100 charities paid their highest earners more than £200,000. And it’s not just the highest paid employees that people need to be aware of; Cancer Research UK has 189 employees who are each paid more than £60,000 per year, with its highest earner on £230,000 per year.

   Here’s a prime example of a greed-riddled charity that is overflowing with avaricious executives who are riding the gravy-train in the 1st class carriage. In February 2014, the Daily Mail reported the following information about the charity ‘Save the Children’:

   The charity ‘Save the Children’ has more than twenty of its executives on salaries of more than £100,000 per year. The Chief Executive of Save the Children International, Jasmine Whitbread is paid around £234,000 per year, and yet she still had time to take a second highly-paid job alongside actress Dame Helen Mirren and artist Tracey Emin in Marks & Spencer’s ‘Britain’s Leading Ladies’ fashion advert campaign.

   The chief executive of ‘Save the Children UK’ Justin Forsyth is on £163,000.00 per year. There have been questions raised in parliament about the indefensible salaries paid to these executives.

   Priti Patel, a member of the House of Commons ‘Public Administration Select Committee’, said: “Taxpayers and individual donors who bankroll these charities will be shocked to see the size of these colossal fat cat salaries. They deserve to know how decisions are made about salaries and who is paid them. The culture of secrecy that exists in some charities must come to an end.”

   Charlie Elphicke MP said: “Think charity and you think volunteers rattling their collecting tins, vocation, and compassion. You don’t think of mega-salaries. It’s unacceptable and it has got to change. Charities should be open and transparent.” 

   OK, this might seem a bit ironic coming from a greedy overpaid Tory MP with a huge expense account, but the point is no less valid for that (and that will no-doubt be a rant for another time).

   I remember a similar call for something to be done about the blatant piracy within this charity’s executive five or six years ago but obviously nothing was done about it.

   The 2015 Third Sector ‘Charity Pay Study’ reported the Save the Children International highest earner to have been paid £257,000 – £267,000. It also reported Save the Children International as having 184 employees who are paid £60,000 or more per year.

   Only public awareness and the boycotting of these corrupt charities will force them to change. All it takes is a little bit of thought and a few minutes research to be sure that your charitable cause is not a gravy-train for greedy immoral bastards!

   Even setting-up an on-line system to enable people to donate to a charitable fund-raising event can be a bit of a minefield. ‘Just Giving’ are one of the best known on-line charitable giving companies. Sadly they also take a commission from the donations made through their system and they charge any charities signed-up to this system a standing monthly charge irrespective of whether or not any donations are received in that month.

   Registered charity The National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) refuses to sign-up to ‘Just Giving’ for these very reasons. 

   If you are thinking of setting-up an on-line donation page for a charity event there are one or two providers who do not fleece you or the charity you are supporting. Both ‘Give As You Live’ www.giveasyoulive.com and ‘BT Mydonate’ www.btplc.com/mydonate operate in such a way that every penny raised via your event page goes directly to the charity you nominate and there are no charges to you or to the charity you are supporting for this service.

   So, what about an example of a charity that doesn’t divert donations into fat-cat salaries?

   Well I know of one for certain, because I have been involved in it for 25 years. The National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) guarantees that 100% of every donation will go directly towards the purpose it has been donated for.

   We have only two paid employees (admin staff); both are paid a rate agreed as fair after consultations with several trades unions (and this year, for the second time in five years, both have volunteered to forgo their annual pay revue to help the charity meet growing costs). The costs of employing these two paid employees are funded from the proceeds of our own direct fundraising events and merchandise sales, so none of it comes out of donations.

   All of the National Committee members and other official representatives of the NABD are unpaid volunteers.

   The question has to be asked, If a bunch of ‘raggy-arsed bikers’ can manage a charity this way, why can’t these so-called ‘professional charity executives’? And perhaps an even more pertinent question is: Why are so many bikers and bike clubs still supporting big gravy-train charities instead of an honest volunteer-led charity run by bikers for the benefit of bikers?

   If you’d like to know more about the NABD, see www.nabd.org.uk

   Rick Hulse

   (A slightly abridged version of this article was first published in Back Street Heroes magazine in July 2016).

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