Hundreds of bikers hit the road

Motoring

News

Hundreds hit roads for biker charity

MORE than 400 bikers took to Dorset roads as part of a charity ride out.

The annual DocBike fundraiser saw the wheels hit the road on two routes – a 30-mile trek from Alderholt and a 35-mile effort from Bridport – with both finishing at Henstridge Airfield.

Organisers said the efforts of the bikers raised more than £8,000 for the Dorset-based charity, which provides care to injured parties in motorcycle crashes.

The weather provided perfect riding conditions on the day, with Dorset riders Dr Ian Mew and critical care paramedic Mark Williams leading separate convoys through the Dorset countryside followed by paramedic Rob Walker, who volunteers as a public engagement rider for the charity.

After completing their chosen route, motorcyclists received a warm welcome from crowds at Henstridge, where they were able to enjoy a fantastic display of stalls and live music from The Hardcore Troubadours. The event also provided DocBike and the crew from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance the opportunity to engage with bikers to raise awareness of their life-saving work.

Dr Mew, co-founder and a trustee of DocBike who is based at Dorchester County Hospital, said: “While this event helps to raise much-needed funds for the charity, the support for what we do from the motorcycling community and beyond means so much more. Motorcyclists are statistically the most vulnerable road users, being 56 times more likely to be killed per mile travelled than when in a car.

“Reducing motorcycle collisions while being able to provide life-saving critical care to anyone who needs it, not just motorcyclists, forms the cornerstone of our work and we are immensely grateful to every person and organisation across the county for their unwavering support.”

DocBike thanked everyone who took part, as well as businesses who donated raffle prizes, Bridport Town Council, the Churchill Arms in Alderholt, Henstridge Airfield owner Geoff Jarvis and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

For more on DocBike visit docbike.org.

Motorcyclists sport helmet hair-dos as part of the fun PHOTOS: Will Badman Photography/DocBike

THE WORLD’S BEST ACROBATS AT MONKEY WORLD

Meet the world’s best acrobats at Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset this half-term- the gibbons! Children visiting the park can celebrate International Gibbon Day with us by taking part in fun trails and quizzes whilst learning about the important work we do to protect primates worldwide, plus arts & crafts & Halloween activities in the Kid’s Centre!

As well as seeing the king of the swingers, Monkey World is home to over 260 primates, including over 50 chimpanzees, and Europe’s offi cial crèche for orphaned orangutan infants. Many of the park’s residents have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, they can now all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment.

Combining fun with conservation and animal education, self-guided audio tours explain all about man’s closest living relative. Visitors can see the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’, then ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest Great Ape Play Area for children with its huge variety of swings, slides, and climbing frames.

PLUS Kids go free on 31st October when in full Halloween fancy dress! Visit www.monkeyworld. org for full details and to book in!