History & Presentation Evening
How the Boundary 500 came about.
The crew of the Cumbria Air Ambulance were on a climbing holiday in Scotland. Dr Rupert Bennett fell to his death. Pilot Jim Martin was seriously injured and paramedic Jon Kerr also received serious hand injuries.
As a result of that particular incident thought I should organise a money raising venture and obviously being a keen motorcyclist it should involve riding motorcycles.
Why money for the air ambulance? A lot of people are not aware that the operation of the air ambulance is totally reliant on donations from the public and it does not receive any funding from the government. Why I don’t know, but we are not here to get involved in politics.
Looking at the set up on the Great North Air Ambulance the area that it covers is roughly 500 miles to go round so hence the name the Boundary 500.
Next problem how do we ensure riders complete it. We needed areas large enough to take a decent amount of motorcycles, toilets and refreshments plus people to sign riders in.
Had a bit of a senior moment and found that in towns around the route were Morrison’s stores. They had all the requirements and after a lot of phone calls they agreed to us using the premises and would stamp riders cards.
At this stage as with all events it’s essential that you get good support on board and I am indebted to Simon Bailes for all his efforts, Paul Joyce from the Fire Brigade and Dave Rathmell and fellow members of the Local IAM Group.
Without too much advertising the applications were rising fast and because it was our first year it was decided we would ere on the side of caution and restrict entries to 125 bikes. Each rider was required to raise a minimum of £30 as were pillions.
On the day due to some last minute cancellations we ended up with 115 bikes and 22 pillions. So the total money we would raise was £4110.
On the morning of the event, 6am at Simon Bailes Garage at Stockton, Simon was a bit concerned that some of the riders may not have had anything to drink or eat. So he arranged a Chuck Wagon to be on site for a bacon butty and a cuppa. An excellent gesture which I believe set the standard for the day. That gesture cost about £450 and I am indebted to Simon. Whether or not it’s a feature that remains I don’t know, because numbers of riders I believe will be a lot higher next year and the cost could become prohibitive.
On the ride itself there were a couple of incidents but thankfully nothing major. My nightmare was that something would take place and the air ambulance would be called out and provide the media with a lot of ammunition. Motorcyclists do not need anymore adverse publicity.
I do know of one entrant who got his dates wrong and turned up 24hrs later. (Still raised £200) His name is a secret but I can be bribed with beer.
In all though a memorable day.
I’ve already mentioned that our goal money wise was to raise £4110 which in itself is a superb amount. However I can now tell you that because of everybody’s commitment to the cause which has been outstanding, we raised £28,625.73p.
With anything there will always some moments that stick out, going to Barrow-in-Furness is one of them. You had to do it to understand.
Amongst the riders there were the ‘The Twenty Minute Men’. Apparently nothing to do with their sexual prowess but because whenever they go out on their bikes they always give the reply ‘back in twenty minutes’ which is the biggest lie ever because their interpretation of twenty minutes is a quick blast to the Lake District and back.
On the Boundary they diverted all over the place and clocked up 640 miles because they were enjoying themselves. Not only that, but one of them was charging his company a £1 per mile.
I think as a one off their efforts should be rewarded, and it should be called ‘The Iron Butt Award’ and that went to;
Chris Flood and Jeff Hetherington.
The ages of those taking part averaged about 45 but the oldest competitor was 76. He managed to go round in about 12 hours with no maps and got off his bike at the end with no complaints about aches and pains unlike some sports bike riders. So I think it is only fitting that his achievement should receive some recognition and his efforts are an example to us young ones.
That award went to Peter Venis.
Collecting sponsorship money is never easy but personally I have found people eager to give money the air ambulance cause. The amounts collected by people have been excellent. As with everything somebody will always go that little bit extra and in this case David Sykes and Helen Sykes managed to collect the sum of £2733.
Now with any event there will always be a memory that sticks with you. When I first advertised the event I received an application from a young female rider, a provisional licence holder who wanted to take part. As any rider knows to do 500 plus miles on a 125cc is no mean feat. The application took me by surprise and there was nothing I had put in the regulations to stop it. As a father and some times a responsible adult this did worry me so I told the young lady I would accept the application if she went out on her bike rode non stop for 50 miles turned round and re did the 50 miles. At the end she would then have some idea of the task ahead and how she would feel. Typical of Rachel she rang back a few days later and told me she had done it and felt fine. Bugger.
I have to confess to being worried about the challenge facing her but a competitor taking part said he knew of another female rider also a provisional licence holder who might be interested
Cutting a long story short Rachel and Tina teamed up and became good friends going out on their bikes to rallies etc.
They didn’t start too well and got lost trying to find the starting point. They were found by ‘The Redcar boys’ and escorted part of the way. Morrison staff at Scarborough even stayed at the petrol station and signed them in at 10.45pm. The garage had closed at 10pm.
So after half a million gear changes and a full tank of petrol they covered 540 miles and returned at 1.10am to a rousing reception at Thornaby Fire Station. I think you will all agree that their efforts were outstanding.
Rachel Leonard and Tina Hind.
Safe riding.
Brian Laverick.
|
