The Longest Day Motorcycle Ride
Up to 50 motorcyclists ride from Edinburgh to London - taking the longest route possible!
Members of the xrv.org.uk adventure motorcycle forum will hold The Longest Day 2009 charity event in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK, the charity that grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.
The bikers will visit five capital cities in 24 hours. Starting at Edinburgh Castle, they will ride via Belfast, Dublin and Cardiff to London, finishing at the famous Ace Café on the longest day of the year, 21 June.
This follows last year's event, which saw the team ride from John O'Groats to Land's End in one day, raising more than £15,000 for charity.
In December 2007, over 100 bikers came together from across the country to fulfil the wish of a very brave boy fighting a rare form of cancer. Jack Kyte, aged six, loved the sight and sound of motorbikes and wished to see and hear the biggest and loudest motorbikes drive past his house.
He was thrilled to see the huge convoy which rolled up and rode past his home in Slough. It was a remarkable gesture from the bikers, who made a tremendous effort to turn up with Santa hats, decorations and presents to make their visit really special for Jack. The convoy was made up of motorbikes from the British Motorcyclists Federation, Harley Davidson Clubs, the London Sidecar Club, and GoldWing Owners Clubs.
Sadly, after spending Christmas and New Year at home with his family, Jack died on Saturday 5 January 2008. His parents, Paul and Maxine, have expressed their gratitude to everyone who helped to grant Jack's wish and Paul said: "It was a day not to forget. You should have seen his little eyes light up when all the motorbikes were coming past the house and as he opened all of his presents."
You can see the support from these bikers means so much to Make-A-Wish, especially when times are difficult. To find out more and to get involved in the fantastic ride for wishes all participants need is a bike and a sponsorship form.
They have also set up a fundraising page - www.justgiving.com/thelongestday2009 - where supporters can donate money easily and securely.
This year, over 1,000 children will ask Make-A-Wish for a wish. It is thanks to the kind donations at events like these and others across the UK that Jack was able to see his favourite bikes. These magical wishes can only continue with this huge support.
