The ‘Black Rat Ride’ hopes to see more than
12,000 bikers raise thousands of pounds as they ride across North
Yorkshire on September 19.
It is being organised by the Black Rat Fund
which supports 4th Mechanized Brigade – the Black Rats –
based at Catterick Garrison, but currently on Op HERRICK in Helmand
Province, Afghanistan. It raises money to support both
serving soldiers and their immediate families - through direct
welfare and compassionate grants to individuals or families in need
or distress, as well as by 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: “This is a fantastic idea - on behalf of all of us in Task
Force Helmand, I want to say a massive thankyou to all those who
have pledged to attend or are helping in other ways.
“This means so much to us - 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 and this support
places value on the sacrifices they are making. All the funds
made will provide 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.”
Bikers from across the UK will do a circuit of
22 miles around Catterick Garrison and the surrounding area.
Organisers are hoping to attract up to 12,500 bikers making the
rideout one of the largest ever to be held in the area.
Each of the riders will be asked 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 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 (http://www.blackratfund.org/) is
now open for riders to register for the rally. Places will be
limited so early registration is encouraged. Further information
can be obtained by visiting the website.
- 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 Gurkha Rifles and the
Royal Dragoon Guards – all of whom have suffered a significant
number of losses and casualties in the past 6 weeks.