BIKERS of all descriptions are being urged to saddle up for a fundraising ride into the Cotswolds this Sunday, October 7, to help a local woman living with cancer.
It’s being organised by top motorcycle instructor Laura Smith, who runs Women Only Motorcycle Training from the home of RMT Motorcycle Training at the Rubicon Centre in Lakeside, Redditch.
Marshaled throughout by professionals, the event is open to all riders, both men and women, whether old hands, newcomers or learners.
The aim is to raise as much money as possible for the charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, one of the causes supported by cancer Claire Flatt who is living with cancer.
Last year Claire, from Marlbrook in Bromsgrove, was told she had developed cervical cancer.
Weeks later she found out she had breast cancer – both cases were primaries and unconnected.
Since then she has thrown herself into fundraising, launching Claire’s Challenge and raising more than £20,000 for cancer charities.
“I was horrified to learn of the all time low in smear uptakes despite them preventing 75 per cent of cervical cancers,” said Claire, who, despite being up to date on her smear tests, was one of the unlucky ones.
“I believe Jo’s Trust is doing really important work in prevention and I wanted to support that work as much as I could.”
Laura said: “Claire had been hoping to ride pillion behind me on the day, but she had a major operation on Tuesday and I said no. However we hope she’ll be there on the day to wave us off.”
Bikers are asked to donate £10 on the day and there will be refreshments and a raffle with some great motorcycling prizes.
They should meet at the Rubicon Centre at 11am for a 12noon start with a break at Moreton in Marsh and a gathering at the Harvester at Mappleborough Green afterwards.
Anyone who can’t make it can still donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WOMTcharityride
