Category: Charity

1. Bike4Life Festival line up announced

   Posted on 8:21am Saturday 4th Apr 2015

   Bike4Life organisers have announced an exciting line-up for this year’s Festival taking place on Sunday 26 April.  The much-loved event held at RAF Museum Cosford returns for its 5th year at the end of this month, raising money for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC).

   More than 8,000 people attended the event last year, making it one of the biggest and best biker events in the region. This year’s Festival promises to be even bigger with a great number of attractions on offer on the day.

   Bike4Life Fest 2015 promises to be a great day out for bikers and families alike with more than 40 exhibitors signed up to showcase some of the latest motorbikes, including luxury motorbike retailer, Stratstone. Bikers on the lookout for accessories and clothing for the new biking season are sure to find what they are looking for at the Festival with all the latest brands on offer.  Also on board are Halesowen-based company Revs Suspension, so whether you’re revamping an old bike or giving your current bike a bit of TLC, the team will be on hand to offer you advice. 

   Families looking for an entertaining day out are guaranteed to enjoy the family fun lined up. Visitors can take tours of two of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s EC135 air ambulance helicopters and watch energetic performances from extreme mountain biker and British Trials Champion Danny Butler and daring displays from stunt bikers Inch Perfect and Moto Gymkhana. In addition to all of this, youngsters can have a go on the climbing wall, ride on the kiddie quad bikes and have their faces painted. 

   Planet Rock 105.2FM will be showcasing the best in the Midlands’ music talent with Cairo Son, Fireroad, Good Companies, Redline and Skam lined up to rock the Festival. Keeping festival goers fuelled for the day, there will also be a fantastic range of food and drink on offer. 

   Current King of the Jungle and seven times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty will be taking part in a live Q&A on stage at the event, where visitors will also have the chance to meet and greet the racing champ. Carl will also be leading the much-anticipated 23-mile Ride Out from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury to the event’s home in Cosford.

   Jason Levy, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said “It’s the final countdown to this year’s event and registrations have already gone through the roof. Over 3,000 bikers will ride out with Carl and thousands more are expected to come along to RAF Museum Cosford to see all that Bike4Life Fest has to offer.” 

   Abi Betteridge, public events manager at RAF Museum Cosford, said “You don’t have to be a biker to enjoy Bike4Life 2015, there’s plenty to see and do for festival goers of all ages. In addition to the Spitfire flypast, live music, arena displays and family entertainment, visitors will also have access to the RAF Museum Cosford, with over 70 historic aircraft on display. We look forward to welcoming new and familiar faces to the museum on 26th April.”

   The event, which is partnered with RAF Museum Cosford and the Safer Roads Partnership, aims to raise awareness of biker safety.

   Any bikers wishing to take part in the Bike4Life Ride Out must register in advance through the Bike4Life website www.bike4lifefest.com as spaces are limited (£5 per bike). Any biking enthusiasts, fans of Carl Fogarty and live music lovers are welcome to head straight to the Festival at RAF Museum Cosford.  Entry to the Festival is free of charge with all donations on the day going towards the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

2. Bike4Life Organisers Highlight the Importance of Road Safety

   Posted on 4:04pm Friday 27th Mar 2015

   Bikers from Shropshire and the wider Midlands area are invited to start the season off in style on Sunday 26th April 2015 at the Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival.

   Bike4Life Festival is being held at the RAF Museum Cosford in support of the Midlands Air Ambulance charity. The event is being run in collaboration with the Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police and this year is being supported by radio station Planet Rock and is set to be the biggest organised biker gathering in the Midlands this year.

   Biker Safety is one of the main focuses of the day and there will be the opportunity to speak to The Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and other trainers to find out more about further training and additional courses that are out there to brush up on your biking skills. There is also the opportunity to sign up on the day for a special offer of a Take Control training course – book with a mate and get the course for half price.

   The importance of biker safety is paramount for all partners involved with Bike4Life and the Air Ambulance in particular are fully aware of the role they play in assisting bikers at the most crucial of times.

   Mum of three Charlotte Lloyd suffered serious injuries in a road traffic collision while on a motorbike just under a year ago and, as she continues her recovery, she’s praised the “vital” contribution Midlands Air Ambulance made to ensuring she received urgent medical attention.

   39-year-old Charlotte suffered a broken leg and elbow when she, as a pillion, and her partner, Marc, were involved in the accident in the Midlands in June 2014. She had been preparing to start a new job the following day when the pair set out on their motorbike on a sunny afternoon and travelled down the Pennine Way, B5080 in Tamworth to meet her younger brother. Suddenly, after missing its turning the car travelling in front performed an emergency stop. As the road surface was very badly broken, the wheels of the bike weren’t able to grip. As the bike started to snake badly, Charlotte was thrown into the air before landing in the road.

   The Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter from Tatenhill was dispatched to the scene, with paramedic, Ian Walley, among the aircrew.

   Charlotte recalled, “There was a lot going on at the scene and as well as being in a lot of pain I felt very sick. I remember Ian introducing himself to me. He and the rest of the aircrew played a vital part on the day as they got me to hospital so quickly. They worked really well with the land ambulance and explained everything to me and were really comforting and patient, and warned me it might be a little noisy. I was in so much pain and, up to that point; I wasn’t responding to anything I’d been given to try and make that better.”

   As Charlotte was experiencing such extreme pain, the aircrew were able to administer advance relief at the roadside before she stabilised and airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Now back home, she is slowly recovering from her injuries but admits the incident had a massive impact on her life. She added, “I had never been to hospital before and had to stay for a week, undergoing scans and a session in theatre. I’m still attending physiotherapy appointments there and am awaiting a date for more surgery. Even now I still cannot walk properly or do certain things, and I do find it quite frustrating sometimes.”

   However, she was still determined to meet the aircrew who helped her when she needed it most to offer her appreciation and, after travelling to Tatenhill and spending time with the team.

   Charlotte continued, "I met up with Ian just because I wanted to thank him and what he did and all of the emergency services did for me that day. I had already known that a lot of bikers are airlifted by Midlands Air Ambulance but I can now truly say that they do fantastic work and help save a lot of lives.”

   With hundreds of bikers already signed up, organisers are expecting thousands will show their support on the day and join in the fun, so, if you’re a biker and you’re not already registered for the Ride Out or just want to find out more visit www.bike4lifefest.com or call the Bike4Life Festival team on 01902 376 252. Find us on Facebook by searching for Bike4Life Fest and follow us on Twitter @Bike4LifeFest.

   The festival will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and visitors of all ages, not just bikers are encouraged to come along. Bikers wishing to participate in the ride out MUST have a full licence as the route to the Museum will travel along the M54 motorway.

   Bikers can find out more information on the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org. Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

3. Henry Surtees Foundation backs pioneering ‘Blood on Board’ project‏

   Posted on 8:00pm Wednesday 25th Feb 2015

   Medics behind the pioneering ‘Blood on Board’ project have heralded the “life-saving” donation of two vehicles to be used to transport blood.

   The two Vauxhall Mokka 4x4 vehicles were handed over to the two charities - Northumbria Blood Bikes and Blood Bikes Cumbria – which provide vital transportation of blood in the region. The donation was made by the Henry Surtees Foundation in support of the Blood On Board project, which allows the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) to carry and administer blood on its rescue missions.

   The vehicles were handed over on behalf of the foundation by James Whitham, the Yorkshire-born motorcycle racer turned commentator. In a racing career spanning 18 years, he secured four British titles and competed in World Superbike, World Supersport, Endurance and Grand Prix. As well as the success, the hard-charging motorcycle racer also survived crashes and battled lymphatic cancer.

   He said: ‘I’ve chased time at race tracks in pursuit of podiums, but for the likes of the Great North Air Ambulance Service, every second can literally be the matter of life or death. The Air Ambulance and regional Blood Bike groups do an incredible selfless job; I hope that I will never need their services, but having had mates rescued from the side of remote mountains, and of course at race tracks - its a service that resonates with me’.

   James Whitham visited the GNAAS base at Langwathby, near Penrith, today to officially hand-over the two Vauxhall Mokka 1.7CDTi 4x4 SUVs to be used by the two Blood Bike groups so that they have all-weather transport for the ferrying of the blood between hospital and aircraft.

   The Henry Surtees Foundation was set up by motorsport legend John Surtees following the tragic death of his son Henry. Mr Whitham added: “I was absolutely honoured to be asked to represent John Surtees OBE and The Henry Surtees Foundation today to hand over the two vehicles. I know that John would also like to say a special thank you to Vauxhall for their support too. I’m sure the assistance of these vehicles will be a huge benefit to the region and help save multiple lives.”

   As previously announced, The Henry Surtees Foundation also donated equipment to GNAAS including thermostatically controlled boxes and blood warmers to enable them to deliver fresh blood supplies to the scene of life threatening accidents, and carry out roadside blood transfusions. GNAAS is the only air ambulance in the North of England to perform this life-saving procedure, which has been administered three times since launching six weeks ago.

   Owain Harris, of Northumbria Blood Bikes but also speaking on behalf of his Cumbria counterparts, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Henry Surtees Foundation for their generosity in providing a four wheel drive vehicle to the charity. Normally the blood is transported by motorcycle, however when the roads are covered in snow we are unable to ride, and would have to suspend the service. The Vauxhall Mokka, a four wheel drive, means that the blood will get through, every day, regardless of the weather in order that The Great North Air Ambulance can carry out it's vital role in saving lives using the Blood on Board project.”

   The Blood on Board project was devised by Dr Rachel Hawes, of GNAAS and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

   She said: “After years of research, the project is now active and is already benefitting patients across the North. Lives will be saved because of this advancement in medical care, it is as simple as that. This would not have been possible without the support of Blood Bikes and the Henry Surtees Foundation, and we are immensely grateful to them for that.”

    

   

4. THE YOU’VE BEEN NABBED 24 RALLY - 8th – 10th May 2015

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 23rd Feb 2015

   The National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) invite you to their premier annual fundraising event. The best value-for-money biker’s event in the UK!

   The YBN24 rally will feature; twenty-six live bands on three stages, ‘100% Biker’ bike & trike show, a huge stand-up comedy show, 60+ real ales and ciders and a wide range of canned beers, wines and spirits, loads of trade stalls, three discos, children’s entertainment, accessible facilities, hot showers, and the very best company you could wish for!

   Pre-booked tickets £25.00 (before 2nd May 2015). On the gate £30.

   Accompanied children 14-years or under – free admission
   
   • Car parking £20.00 (free with disabled badge). Caravans £20.
   • Strictly no dogs (except registered & insured disability assistance dogs)
   • No alcohol will be permitted through the gate; we have three bars selling a wide range of beers, wines, and spirits, at very reasonable prices
   • Day tickets (Saturday only) £15.00 (Pay £30 with a £15.00 refund if you leave before 7pm)
   
   You don't have to be an NABD member or a disabled biker to attend this superb event!

   See the website for details and how to but a ticket www.nabd.org.uk

   Updates will be posted on the website and on facebook

   Don’t forget your towel: Hot showers will be available at the You’ve Been Nabbed 24 rally.

   Cars at You've Been Nabbed 24:
   We have removed our restrictions on people attending by car in a bid to stop people parking illegally in the local area and walking into the event.

   Police are likely to be clamping-down on illegal parking in the area this year due to complaints.

   Sponsor a Barrel of Ale at You’ve Been Nabbed 24:
   For a mere £75.00 sponsors can have their name, (or company name, club name, logo etc.) on a barrel of real ale or cider throughout the event.

   Sponsors will also be included in the official sponsors list and receive a laminated ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from the NABD.

   If you are in a club, why not propose to your fellow members that they sponsor a barrel?

   If you are self-employed and you pay tax, why not sponsor a barrel yourself? Promotional expenses and charitable donations can all be written off against tax.
   If you work for a company, why not talk to your boss about it? It’s very good publicity and it has to feel better than handing your money over to the Tax Man!

   For more information, e-mail [email protected] or telephone 0844 415 4849 and we will let you have a simple form to fill in.
   
   www.nabd.org.uk
   

    

   

5. NABD UPDATE : February 2015 - NABD GRANTS

   Posted on 10:00am Wednesday 18th Feb 2015

   NABD GRANTS:
   At the November 2014 National Committee meeting of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD), grants totalling £9,510.00 were awarded to help thirteen more disabled riders to adapt bikes and/or trikes to suit their needs.

   At the December 2014 National Committee meeting of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD), grants totalling £9,611.00 were awarded to help ten more disabled riders to adapt bikes and/or trikes to suit their needs.

   At the January 2015 National Committee meeting of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD), grants totalling £2,855.00 were awarded to help four more disabled riders to adapt bikes and/or trikes to suit their needs.

   At the February 2015 National Committee meeting of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD), grants totalling £3,845.00 were awarded to help six more disabled riders to adapt bikes and/or trikes to suit their needs.

   That’s a grand total of £55,599.93 awarded in grants so far, since the start of this financial year in April 2014.