Road racing legend and television star, Guy Martin, once again encouraged motorcycle riders and tea drinkers around the country to back the charity Spinal Research over the May Bank Holiday.

Overall the Big Brew 2013 raised a fantastic £12,500 including a contribution of £2,500 from the sale of Guy Martin’s 2013 calendars. This is double last year’s total and there is still money coming in for life changing research funded by Spinal Research. Supporters all over the country brewed kettles, made tea, baked cakes, held fundraising events and generally had a great time.

Happy Days Leisure raised the most money making £2000 and special thanks also to Wessons Café who also raised a whopping £700 – the two most successful fundraisers. Thanks to their stirling Big Brew efforts, they will get to meet Guy later this year, along with Stuart Tansley, whose name was drawn from all those that joined in and had a cuppa at their local Big Brew event organised by the Arlesey Motorcycle Club.

Guy’s sideburns competition saw ‘sidies’ created in every way imaginable and even those who couldn’t grow them joined in on the action using glitter tattoo sideburns, amongst other things! Rosewood Farms also got in on the act and donated 10% from the sale of packs of their mutton chops to support the Big Brew. Top marks for creativity! Check out all the fabulous mutton chops entries here www.guymartinbigbrew.org

Of course King of the mutton chops himself, Guy Martin, had great fun choosing the lucky winner, who is John Mallett and wins a fantastic Focused Events track day.

Of the many Big Brew events held around the country, special thanks must go to the ‘growers’ at The Parks and Greenspaces Team in Merseyside, who cultivated some spectacular sideburns and raised even more money by selling cream teas too. Also, Fulton Vehicle Specialists on the Isle of Man, held their own special TT trivia quiz, with all proceeds going to the Big Brew and Spinal Research.

The Big Brew fun day at City School of Motorcycling had something for everyone including a climbing wall, mini motos, skilled balance riding competition, stunt rider display, raffle, barbecue, teas and delicious cakes donated by Greggs.  The Big Brew action continued in Scotland as Hein Gericke Edinburgh supported the day.

Special motorcycle ride outs that took place to celebrate the Big Brew included a ride out along the Cornish TT and the Hastings Bike 1066 Spring Opener where Cooper Tunbridge Wells held a Big Brew event on their stand.

It’s an exciting time for Spinal Research as they are working towards clinical trials that will transform the lives of people living with paralysis, improving sensation, movement and their quality of life. The charity has a dedicated campaign specifically for motorcyclists called Ride Out and The Big Brew is one of the key events in their biking calendar.

It’s not too late to make a donation, or if you want to discuss a fundraising idea then Spinal Research would love to hear from you.  Visit www.spinal-research.org or call Isabel on 01483 898786.

“I’m putting my support and tea drinking enthusiasm behind The Big Brew, taking part and fundraising can make all the difference to people living with paralysis.  I hope you enjoyed the 2013 Big Brew and hope even more of you will join us in 2014.”

Guy Martin, Ride Out for Spinal Research Ambassador