Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance say’s ‘Thanks to ride of thanks’

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance are saying a big thank you to the hundreds of motorcyclists from across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire who took to the streets on the 4th September for their annual Ride of Thanks ride-out.

Approximately 280 bikers created an eye-catching procession as they wound their way round the 62-mile circular route taking in some of the most glorious countryside and villages across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Several trikes and 3 wheelers also joined in on the action. The event raised a total of £3,264 which will be split between LNAA, the Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service and Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes. Both blood bike groups provide a free service to the LNAA ensuring that life-saving blood and plasma are delivered on board 24/7.

Chris Bailey, Operations Manager for LNAA said: “Thank you to the organisers of the Ride of Thanks for the very generous donation of £1088. The money raised will help keep our helicopter airborne and Critical Care Cars operational across both counties. Events like this raise awareness of not only LNAA, but also those other Charities that support us, such as the Blood Bikers. Without their support it would be challenging to provide the advanced level of service we provide, which has seen over 100 units of blood products transfused on scene this year; the highest in any year for LNAA”

The LNAA is one of the UK’s leading Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) Charities. The enhanced level of pre-hospital critical care delivered to patients at the scene, gives people with the most severe injuries and medical conditions the very best chance of survival when minutes matter. And with the crews are on call 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year, the highly skilled doctors, paramedics and pilots are there to help people in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, involved in life-threatening incidents every single day.

Roland Johns, volunteer and joint organiser of the event said: “On-line registration was slow to start with but increased nearer the event and even a few bikers turned up on the day and donated the £10 requested to take part. As part of the preparation, we contacted all the 26 villages on the route and encouraged residents to come out and give us a wave as we passed by. I am pleased to say that we received great support and it was lovely to be greeted at all the villages that we passed through.”

The Ride of Thanks was such a success due to the hard work and commitment from all committee members, sponsors Robin Hood Harley Davidson, the volunteers that marshalled the route, the people in the communities that cheered the bikers along the route and of course all the bikers who took part.

Plans are already underway to make the Ride to Save Lives 2023 even bigger and better so even more money can be raised to support these three life-saving charities.”