Raising money and a smile! #R5k members get ready for charity missions

Generous members of MCN’s #ride5000miles campaign are gearing up for some high-mileage charity antics as soon as lockdown restrictions ease.

With many organisations experiencing hardship, after seeing fund-raising curtailed by Covid-19, riders are looking forward to raising cash whilst bolstering their mileage totals.

Related articles on MCN

• Happy Birthday to #ride5000miles
• Around the world on a scooter and sidecar
• Covid-19 lockdown project bikes

Lincolnshire-based Roland Johns, 70, hopes to lead the annual Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Ride to Save Lives event in September, which invites bikers to take part in a 62-mile group ride and previously raised £11,500 in 2019 alone.

“The Air Ambulance is quite close to the hearts of motorcyclists because they do go out and rescue a number of bikers every year,” Roland said.

Part of the group of volunteers who founded the ride, Roland also adds to his annual mileage as a Blood Biker and is a national observer for IAM RoadSmart. He said: “It’s quite amazing how it’s grown and it’s great seeing all those bikers there.”

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance will also get a lift with Chelmsford Honda NC700S rider Eddie Friggens’ planned two-week and 2444-mile charity ride to the four compass points of the British mainland.

With the start date dependant on Covid restrictions, Eddie is hoping to raise around £4000. He said: “I haven’t camped for years and I’ve decided to try that again, which has made it a little more adventurous.”

And cousins Graeme Robson and Barry Rooke, from Liverpool, have already begun planning a challenge – tackling Lands End to John O’Groats in 24 hours without motorways to raise money for Cash for Kids.

The pair have established a YouTube channel called Robo Rider and hope to gather as many sponsors and as much money as possible for the group.