Return of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run from Welwyn to North Weald

18th February 2019

Return of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run from Welwyn to North Weald

Registrations have opened for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) Motorcycle Run on Sunday 12^th May which will see hundreds of bikers taking to the roads of Hertfordshire and Essex.

Starting at Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, the 60 mile route will finish at North Weald Airfield, home to one of EHAAT’s two Airbases and the Charity’s AgustaWestland 169 helicopter. At North Weald participants and spectators will be able to enjoy a Family Fun Day.

Last year’s event attracted hundreds of bikers at North Weald, with local families swelling the crowds to raise over £15,000 for the Charity

The Family Fun Day, which provides an ideal spot to watch the hundreds of bikes arrive, is free to attend with a suggested donation of £5 to assist with covering the event’s costs. Attractions this year will include the amazing Two Brothers Racing Stunt Team, back by popular demand, and the popular ART Rider Training. With a series of bands providing live music, trade stalls showing off the latest kit and bikes, a bike show and a kid’s zone, there will be something to keep everyone entertained.

Jen Wall, EHAAT Volunteer and Events Lead said: “The ride out from Welwyn to North Weald is always a great day for the riders and the new route, introduced last year, was very popular as it allowed learners to take part. We’re looking forward to welcoming our friends in the biking world back to this celebration of biking. We hope that everyone will ride safely and have a memorable day out.”

Registration for the event, which is supported by sponsors Specialist Aviation Services and Woodlands Group is £10 for a single rider and £15 for a rider and pillion.

Jen Wall says: “Each mission costs £2,200 on average, so if 1,000 riders raised just £30 each we would have enough to fund 14 potentially life-saving missions.

“If you think it might be tricky raising sponsorship, when you buy your ticket you’ll have the chance to donate £30. Selecting the Sponsored Ticket option when you add your ticket to the basket could make all the difference.”

Throughout the Motorcycle Run and Family Fun Day, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance will be using the hashtags #RideSafe and #MotorcycleRun to raise awareness of their safety message and to promote the event.

Book your place now at ehaat.org/events-calendar or call the EHAAT Events Team on 0345 2417 690

Photograph: Last year’s event attracted hundreds of bikers to North Weald Airfield.

-ENDS-

Photograph: Bikers gathered at Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ at the start of at the start of the 2018 Motorcycle Run

For more information please contact Gavin Sherriff, PR Officer, on 0345 2417 690.

Notes to Editor:

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is a Charity that provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured of Essex, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

The service is provided free of charge but, unlike NHS emergency services, the Charity receives no direct funding from the Government or National Lottery. It costs in excess of £750,000 every month to keep the service operational and cover all charitable costs, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of people and businesses of Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond.

Each of the Charity’s HEMS teams consist of a Pilot, a Co-pilot, a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and a Critical Care Paramedic.

These teams, made up of highly-skilled individuals, tended to 1,491 patients in 2018 and are the backbone of your local life-saving Charity.

The fleet, consisting of two Air Ambulances, and four Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs - cars) operates seven days a week from 7am to 9pm. After sunset, the Critical Care Team continues to provide the service using Rapid Response Vehicles.

In addition, a Rapid Response Vehicle is operational on a Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm until 2am with a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic.