The Scottish Six Days Trial is the biggest event in the worldwide trials calendar and this year we hope to help make a difference by raising money for our chosen causes. Trials UK in association with OSET Bikes have provided an amazing prize of a very Special Edition SSDT OSET 16” Bike. To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic bike, all you need to do is make a donation either online via Virgin Money Giving or at the Trials UK shop or at the Scottish Six Day Trial in May. For every £1 donated you receive numbers with your name against them, so the more you donate, the more chances you will have of your name being picked from the hat following the SSDT Parade on Sunday 5th May. The bike has been very kindly donated by OSET CEO Ian Smith and extensively customised by Trials UK with the help of Frazier from All Signage of Skipton. Every penny raised will go to this year’s chosen charities which are “The Forces Children’s Trust” and “Bike Tours for the Wounded” whom both really make a difference to the lives of the injured and the families of those sadly lost in conflict.
The Forces Children’s Trust
The Forces Children’s Trust is charity devoted to helping children whose father or mother has died, or has sustained life threatening injuries whilst serving as a member of the Armed Forces. The scope of its ability to help both an individual and a group of children in similar circumstances is illustrated by two recent cases. The FCT provided special software for a dyslexic young boy who had sadly lost his father. The cost was beyond the mother in her present circumstances and not available from other sources. The immediate response by the FCT enabled the young boy to instantly improve his educational skills. In contrast, the Trust funded and enabled a trip to London for a group of young children to see the hit-show ‘Mary Poppins'. This included an overnight stay as well as restaurant meals and other visits together with their mothers and escorts from the Army/RAF Widows Associations. This helped to put a lot of smiles on the children’s faces and injected a bit of happiness back in their lives.
The Forces Children's Trust was founded in 2004 by Mr. Denny Wise who, with his extensive show-business background and contacts, has spent many years giving so much time to fund-raising for so many good causes and charities, most of which have a strong Service background. Following the many heartbreaking stories that have emerged from the losses in Afghanistan and Iraq, Denny was concerned that the subsequent needs of the affected children, were not being fully addressed. He was particularly moved by the number of children who were left without a parent.
Bike Tours for the Wounded
RideRoute66.co.uk organise guided motorcycle tours in the U.S. on Route 66 where we take wounded forces personnel on a trip of a lifetime and travel the width of the USA on this iconic highway. Through these tours and additional fundraising activities we are attempting to raise £250,000 for British forces charities and provide "FREE" places on our guided tours to 40 forces men and women each year!
Here are a few words from Dale who wants to join us on a tour - “Hi my name is Dale, I am 26 years old. I joined the Welsh Guards in 2004 at the age of 17. I have done tours in Iraq and Bosnia. In 2009 I went on tour to Afghanistan where only after being there for four weeks I was involved in an accident where the vehicle I was in drove over an IED (improvised explosive device). I was very seriously injured and flown back to Britain the very next day, where I started my long road to recovery. My injuries included the loss of my left leg above the knee, a severe head injury, multiple fractures to my spine and much more. I was on life support for 3 weeks and was in hospital for 12 weeks altogether before going to rehab in Headly Court for 2 years.
I was discharged from the army in Feb 2012. I would have loved to have been able to stay in the forces but it was not to be. I have always loved bikes, cars and anything with an engine and would just love this opportunity to ride the famous Route 66! What an experience this will be for myself and the other wounded, sick or injured Forces personnel.”
As you can see, both organisations do important work in helping restore people’s lives after the most harrowing of experiences, so please help in any way you can to allow them to continue with this vital work. Hopefully you maybe the lucky one who wins a £1200 bike for your generosity