Wheels for Heroes 2011

Pat Murray (in the middle wearing a mohawk helmet)
with some of the participants at the finish line in Matlock

OVER £1000 has been raised for soldiers’ families at the Wheels for Heroes motorcycle rally.

The event, which went from the Council offices in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, to the Derbyshire Dales District Council building in Matlock, raised £1020 for the Royal British Legion.

Between 150 and 200 Riders rode from the Civic car park in Swadlincote, to the Derbyshire Dales District Council building in Matlock.

Councillor Pat Murray from South Derbyshire County Council, the organiser of the Wheels for Heroes event, said that it was a great success.

“It wasn’t the best of day’s weather wise, but bikers brave all sorts for a good cause.

“The public were really good as well, and people came out along the route to cheer us on.”

Stuart Allen, the County Vice-Chairman for the Derbyshire Royal British Legion was also pleased with how the day went: “It was brilliant, it went very, very well and was very well supported by all the different bike associations.

“I’m very grateful to Pat Murray for organising the event, and to all the people who turned out.”

With such a good turnout of bikers, there was a nice variety of bikes taking part in the run, ranging from 50cc Lambretta’s, to big engined sports bikes, tourers, cruisers and trikes.

Luckily, the weather stayed fine for the duration of the ride, which left Swadlincote at 11am and arrived in Matlock at approximately 12:15, taking in some of the villages surrounding Burton-on-Trent before getting onto the A38 and A6 for the Peak District town.

The ride out was the second such event organised by Cllr Murray, with a run in 2010 raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund, and a run already planned for Sunday, October 14 2012 to raise money for Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Families Association (SSAFFA).