Gloucester TRF's Christmas charity fundraiser a huge success

The Gloucester TRF ran a charity ride out in aid of the Great Western Air Ambulance at the end of December (2024). Despite cold and misty conditions the group saw a big turnout, raising an excellent £1755 for the Air Ambulance.

“We had over 50 Gloucestershire TRF members attend the ride,” explained Alex Hinch who organised the event together with Rory Atkins. “We wanted to put something back into our area and thought a Christmas charity ride would do that as well as gather members together for a larger festive event.”

Alex and Rory checked the rider abilities and then created a rider schedule splitting the run into groups: big bikes & novices, intermediate and progressive. The routes had been planned and scouted by Alex, Rory and Mike Fisher. Each group then departed at 15-minute intervals. All riders completed a 72-mile loop of the legal green roads around Gloucestershire, having donated to take part in the ride.

The Gloucester group was hosted by their local farm shop and café, ‘Jolly Nice’, who generously provided them with a large yurt complete with seating, a warming fire and refreshments. A big cheque for the money raised (£1755 including gift aid) was presented on the day to the representative from the Great Western Air Ambulance, Andrew Harper.

The group’s efforts were rewarded with an excellent press report in the Stroud Times, in which Gloucester’s joint chair Mark Holland was able to explain trail riding and its benefits in terms the public would understand and appreciate:

“Compared with other recreations, we are in a tiny minority so there is much misunderstanding. Trail Riding by motorcycle is exploring Green Roads – simply roads that have escaped tarmacking and are unsealed.  Because these are roads, the riders and their trail motorcycles need to be road-legal.  Riders go out in small groups, and follow the TRF Code of Conduct.

“The local Group also works tirelessly behind the scenes to sustain Green Roads for everyone to enjoy.  We are delighted to help to support the local Air Ambulance, but trail riding has a very low accident rate, so we hope that we will rarely need their services but are pleased to help to keep them available for everyone.”

Alex said in all it was fun day and a great ride out and the group are planning to repeat the event come Christmas 2025.