Black Rat Rally Sunday, 19 September 2010

[jcr]

http://www.blackratfund.org/Rally.htm

Hi All got asked by a local councillor if I was attending this (I'd never heard of it ) anyway above is the link to the website dont know what you'll all think but it is a worthy cause

[skags]

Link not working

[BaZa®]

Black Rat Bikers Rally

[jcr]

Cheers for that Baza

[skags]

Thanx Baza for the link but will be on holiday so cannot attend after all, sorry

[Old_Bob]

When I saw this rally advertised some time ago I assumed it was something to do with our Policemen friends - moral is 'don't assume'

[BaZa®]

MASSIVE BIKERS' RIDEOUT TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CATTERICK SOLDIERS

A nationwide plea has gone out to motorcyclists to attend a charity rideout in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in the autumn this year to raise money for thousands of soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan.
The Black Rat Fund is the welfare fund and charity which supports 4th Mechanized Brigade - the Black Rats - who are based in Catterick Garrison, but who are on Op HERRICK in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The Fund is organising a Black Rat Charity Rideout which will take place on Sunday, September 19, 2010, in Catterick Garrison.
The Fund raises money to support the serving soldiers of the Black Rats as well as their immediate families. Support is provided through direct welfare and compassionate grants to individuals or families in need or distress, as well as supporting community projects, events and activities which aim to improve and enhance the lives of soldiers and families who are part of the Brigade.
Brigadier Richard Felton OBE, Commander of the 4th Mechanized Brigade and the Managing Trustee of the Black Rat Fund, is currently in Afghanistan commanding Task Force Helmand for the duration of the deployment.
In a personal message sent from Task Force Helmand Headquarters in Lashkar Gah to all the bikers taking part he said:

m.f...
1

"Sitting here in Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province, I have just been brought up to date with the Charity Rideout being organised on the 19th September in Catterick. I think it's a fantastic idea.
On behalf of all of us in Task Force Helmand, I would just like to say a massive Thank You to all those who have pledged to attend or are helping in other ways. This means so much to us for a number of reasons. First, just knowing so many people are willing to support us is so important to the morale of my troops. They are all doing such a fantastic job, with unbelievable courage and great determination. Your support places value on the sacrifices they are making. Second, all the funds made will be going to providing compassionate and welfare support which will improve my soldiers' lives. It's tragic that so many have been injured and killed and every bit of help we can give them on our return means so much.
I would not want you to think morale is low here. Quite the opposite. Yes it's a long, hot and very kinetic summer, but we are making real progress and the soldiers see this every day. We are extending Afghan Governance, connecting this to the people. We are improving their freedom of movement, which is essential for them to get their goods to market, to send their children to school, to get health care and all other services and utilities we take for granted in the UK. We are also building the capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces. This is important because they are our exit strategy as we will, over time, hand over security responsibility to them. Finally, we are fighting a determined and agile insurgent who uses the indiscriminate Improvised Explosive Device, grenades and indirect/direct fire weapons. But we are making a serious dent in his numbers and morale.
I do hope you will all find time to attend the Rally, I know it will be great fun. I will be thinking of all of you on the 19th.
With Best Wishes,
Richard Felton"
The 4th Mechanized Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010, but will have members of the Brigade in Helmand until December 2010. Currently there are 16 different Regiments and Units that form the Brigade during the period of the deployment, including 40 Commando Royal Marines, 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment, 1st Battalion The Royal

m.f...
2
Gurkha Rifles and the Royal Dragoon Guards - all of whom have suffered a significant number of losses and casualties in the past 6 weeks.
The Black Rat Fund is inviting members of the biking community from all over the United Kingdom to come and take part in the ride, which will do a circuit of 22 miles around Catterick Garrison and parts of the surrounding area. Organisers are hoping to attract up to 12,500 bikers to attend on the day, making the rideout one of the largest ever to be held in the area.
The Fund will ask each of the riders taking part to make a donation of £5 to enter the ride, and will give all the registered riders a Black Rat wristband, which they can wear to show their support of the Brigade.
The organisers will also be commissioning souvenir tee-shirts which can be obtained by making an additional donation during registration, and which the riders can then wear on the day.
The biking community in the UK has consistently shown incredible support for the Armed Forces.
Events such as the Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride organised by The Royal British Legion, the Mother's Day Ride through Wootton Bassett, and the mass gathering at the Armed Forces Memorial - the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, clearly illustrate the biking community's desire to show their solidarity with, and respect for, serving, veteran, wounded and fallen members of the Armed Forces.
The Black Rat Fund website (Black Rat 900 Lottery) is open for riders to register for the Rally now. Places will be limited so early registration is encouraged. Further information can be obtained by visiting the website.

ENDS
Further information about the Black Rat Bikers' Rally can be obtained from: Mrs Mia Felton, Trustee and Fundraising Co-ordinator, The Black Rat Fund, HQ 4 Mechanized Brigade, Baden-Powell House, Scotton Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire DL9 3JS. Telephone: 01748 835221 Mobile: 07880 730736.
Email: miafelton@blackratfund.org
Major Terry Stott, Fund Manager, The Black Rat Fund, HQ 4 Mechanized Brigade, Baden-Powell House, Scotton Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire DL9 3JS. Telephone: 01748 872457 Email: fundenquiries@blackratfund.org

[ClanKiwi]

I'm signed up for this one so if you're going let me know...

[jcr]

I'm signed up too doing the early one 1st ride

[Mr Plod]

Hi there

I'm signed up for Ride To The Wall in October this year. I was unaware of this rideout till I saw the post. I would like to attend but I would be travelling down from Campbeltown, Argyll (145 miles distant from Glasgow) with the wife and would need to do an overnight stay as the first 145 miles are on the less than adequate A83 to Glasgow. Then a sizeable motorway jaunt to Catterick. Can anyone recommend a hotel (premier Inn etc etc) near the event that bikers use? dem ol bones is rattlin.

thanks