Army Bikers Club Together

After the success of Cornbury Park Autumn Nabd'ness some of the people that attended wanted to continue their support and do something positive for us. I had a phone call from Greg Dawe (Beemer) to say that we had some money to pick up from the barracks that he worked at. As Cornbury Park was organised initially by myself he wanted me to attend the presentation. We arranged a date and off we set. (Well, I was going in that direction anyway for other business so combined the two, as we tend to do with NABD business).
After meeting up with Beemer and his colleagues we took some photos and thanked a few of the influential people that had helped us out with Cornbury Park event itself. We received a boost to our funds with a big thanks to the motorcycle club and soldiers at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon. 
Staff Sgt John Welsh, whose idea had brought this about, presented a cheque for £200 to myself for NABD funds. You see, the army aren't allowed a gaming licence due to the rules and red tape of the services; they have gaming machines but have to distribute the takings and profits to the running of the 'mess' and a good cause. Each month they have a different 'good cause' and a majority usually votes on it from the running committee. Biker and Senior Youth and Community Development Worker at Dalton Barracks, Greg Dawe, said; "Bikers come from all walks of life and work together to maintain their very special cultural identity. Disability knows no boundaries and has no prejudices, accidents and illnesses don't care what profession you follow, or what colour your skin is, and neither do the NABD" We liked that very much, and so a big thanks to all those guys that have worked so hard during the fireman's strike and with the impending threat of war to still take time out to think about NABD and what they like doing best ...Biking.

Many a Truth Spoken in Jest

Gary Tompkins (NABD Rep, Kent) receives a donation of £294.45 made by the Jesters MCC, presented by Neil Hansley of the Jesters.

Members of the MOD Guard Service formed the Association in January 2002 and Military Provost Guard Service stationed at Warminster Garrison. The association has been formed primarily to organise motorcycle events for the benefit of the needy children, and promote motorcycles to the general public. In March 2002 they organised an Egg run and the response was staggering with 60 bikes participating and over 200 eggs collected. West Wilts Social services were very grateful and distributed the eggs to homes in Salisbury, Trowbridge and the local hospitals. In August they organised a run for the Chernobyl Children and raised £300. In September they raised £60 for NABD on just a club run. The Association has now chosen to do a run for the NABD annually and make it part of their objective to give something back to the biking world as their support for the runs has grown They have meetings in Warminster, but they are a bit erratic due to most of the club working shifts, and it is difficult getting everyone together. I was invited to one such meeting by their Chairman 'Charlie Forward', and it was well worth turning up too. The members .made me thoroughly welcome. A nice open fire, lots of bike chat and laughs. They now have around 30 members and are well known in the area. Good luck guys for the coming year and many thanks for your donation to NABD.
 Juley Simmonds

New NABD patron Mik Scarlet drew the winning tickets at the NEC Motorcycle Show (most ably assisted by the lovely Rachelle from the Streetfighters/BSH stand).

First prize; a GS850 Streetfighter, went to Phil Hamer of Telford, Shropshire, who received his tickets with his copy of Open House last spring. Second Prize; a VIP family tour of the West Midlands Safari Park, went to Tony Wells of Canvey Island, Essex who bought his tickets at the Rock & Blues. Third prize of £80.00 worth of Biking Videos, went to Rob Foster of St Austel, Cornwall, who bought his tickets at the South & West Show.

NABD Meetings in Kent

Around the UK and Ireland groups of bikers get together to discuss ideas and formulate plans to help the NABD in whatever way they can. Some will decide on fund-raising events, some will help to spread the word by working on NABD stands at rallies and shows, others will put together teams of marshals to help the running of NABD rallies and events. Whatever they decide to do, it is of immense benefit to the NABD as a whole and we would not be able to function without them.
This is one such group, they meet up each month in The Crown Pub, Seal, Nr Sevenoaks, Kent.

Ken May (NW London Rep) has the greatest pleasure in accepting a cheque for £1,000.00 from the Guildford MCC. They had raised this donation with various club activities and events (BBQ's, raffles, runs etc) throughout 2002.

Mick Geffory of the Rockers Coast Riders presents a cheque for £1,233.00 to Ken May (NW London Rep). Over a four week period in 2002 Mick (accompanied by Steve Beard) rode his adapted trike around the coastline of mainland Britain. To quote Ken May when he was talking about this and the Guildford MCC donation. "Without people like them the NABD would not be able to carry on helping so many disabled riders" I think that sums it up very nicely indeed.