The NABD are always on the look out for new ways of fund raising, so I decided as I already use an auction site on the world-wide-web I would volunteer to be the NABD's Auctioneer. Where we can hopefully all help to increase the amount of money the NABD gets for adaption grants and to fund the 'learner loaners'.

We have now got an 'Auction Site' on Ebay Auctions, where we sell items to raise funds. Our auction site name is "nabdauctions" so you go to the web Site, www.ebay.co.uk then click on the "Search" button at the top of the page, then click on the yellow bar 'by Seller'. Type in 'nabdauctions'. Then click search. You will be able to see what we have for sale, then you could place a bid on any item and if you are the winner, once your payment has been received, either by Personal Cheque or Paypal (credit card method) we will post it out to you straight away.

There is another way you could help us, that's by donating anything we can sell on ebay, like unwanted gifts, collectibles, memorabilia, old bike books etc. You can send any of the items to the NABD central office. All items must be in good condition and working order (if it has moving parts). All the proceeds from every item that is auctioned off on Ebay will go directly towards the cost of adapting machines for disabled riders or to keeping our fleet of learner loaners on the road. The more we can raise the more of our members we can help.

As from April 2003 to the end of 2003 we have awarded 53 grants, and still have 3 months to go in this financial year. If things carry on, and the grants applications keep coming in at the same rate, we will have helped more disabled people back on the road, than 2001/2002 year, which was the best so far when we helped 60 disabled riders with financial grants to gain their independence. Of course if you count in the people who did not require financial help but have had legal, technical, and/or licensing advice from the NABD, that number becomes more than 300.

If you have a 125cc bike that you would like to donate to the NABD, so we can expand our fleet of adapted leaner loaners, then give the central office a ring. It does not need to be adapted, as we can have the vehicle adapted to suit the varied disabilities that we cater for. The bike must be running and in good condition as our funds are limited to servicing the bikes before they go out on loan and we can't afford to spend a lot of time and money repairing or rebuilding them.

I wish you all the best for 2004.