Shropshire Star

Bike4Life 2017: Thousands of riders hit Shropshire roads for annual charity ride

After winning countless championships Carl Fogarty is used to seeing bikes in his wing-mirrors but this time he was followed by 5,000 motorcycles in a spectacular charity ride out on the roads of Shropshire.

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The 'Bike 4 Life' event saw bikers from across the country joining with celebrities to take part in a mass ride-out from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford.

The event was organised to raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance and Fogarty, the most successful world superbike racer of all time, said he was proud to have been asked to lead the ride-out.

He said: "It is a great honour. I did it two years ago and loved it. I can't believe how many people take part and line the streets along the way so it is a real honour."

Fogarty, who was also a popular contestant in 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!', said he was thrilled to be able to help raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance - which needs around £7 million to operate each year.

He said: "It is a really important charity. I do a lot of work for air ambulances around the country. I hope I never see one but you cannot say enough good about what they do and that is why events like this are so important."

He said: "I think that 'one hour', that is critical whether you make it or don't make it and the chopper is the way, no doubt about it. The paramedics themselves they want to get to people as quickly as possible and if it's serious then the chopper is going to get them there as soon as they can."

The pop-star said he had learned to ride bike as a child, and although he described himself as a "fairweather biker" he said he was thrilled to asked to lead the event.

Hannah Seabright, CEO of the Midlands Air Ambulance said she was overwhelmed at the number of people who had taken part in the event and that it plays a key part in raising funds for the charity.

She said: "It is absolutely huge for us in terms of profile for the charity, we do not get any government funding so that support from the biking community is enormous.

"This event so far has raised £70,000 which is nearly double the amount from last year and that equates to 30 lifesaving missions - so that is 30 people's lives who can be saved.

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