Most bikers love any excuse to get together for a ride and the majority of bikers are damn nice people, When you combine these two aspects of a biker's nature it is no surprise that 'Charity' runs have become an institution throughout Britain. But are they really doing anybody any good?

One thing I have learned over 12 years involvement in a registered charity is that most people like to support good causes in some way, but many have little idea of how to do so.

Take, as an example, Easter Egg runs, there must be hundreds of them around the country every Easter. The majority of them take Easter eggs to the children's ward of their local hospital. Sounds like a fine idea, these poor kids stuck in hospital need cheering up don't they?

If you think about it, the chances are that the families of these children will already have sorted out the Easter egg business where necessary. Also, it may not be a good thing to have poorly kids pigging out on chocolate- maybe a little consultation with the nursing staff prior to the event would point out something of more value to these kids. It may even be the case that some relatively inexpensive but fairly essential equipment is needed on the children's ward. Would it not make more sense to organise a fundraising party to buy some essential equipment, then have a run to deliver it to the hospital?

Similarly with Toy Runs, I have spoken to many people working with kids in hospitals and nurseries and one thing they are very rarely short of is fluffy toys. They always seem to have a storeroom crammed with the bloody things. What they do tend to be short of though is equipment and educational toys. Don't go getting the wrong impression, I'm not out to convince you that the NABD is the only charity worthy of your efforts (though I do believe it to be most worthy, but then I'm biased aren't I?)

Pet food runs to animal sanctuaries are always a good idea. I doubt that there is an animal sanctuary in Britain that doesn't struggle for money. But here again a bit of prior consultation is always a good thing. Delivering a hundred tins of cat food to a sanctuary for donkeys would just make you look like a bunch of pillocks, and serve no valid purpose. Another great idea that has occasionally appeared on the scene in recent years is the Blood Run. You all get together, go for a nice ride and end up at a place where each of you can donate a pint of blood. Every year many bikers' lives are saved because of blood transfusions. (This needs to be arranged in advance with your local blood transfusion service, as they may not be able to cater for 200 people all turning up out of the blue).

But there are other avenues for charity runs that seem to be completely overlooked.
It is no secret that schools have for many years been starved of cash. Consequently, education equipment is in short supply {Yeah, I know some bloody crisp company will buy a school half a dozen footballs if you save the tokens, but footballs don't constitute an education, just look at David Beckham). So how about nipping down to your local school and asking them what their supply of textbooks is like. You will no doubt find they are in dire need of new ones, if so there's your next run. It would even make good headlines in the local press 'Bikers carry books to school'. (You know how the local press like really corny headlines).

Also most towns in Britain have a number of youth clubs, all of which are run on a shoe-string budget. If you go and speak to the people running these places I'm sure they can give you long lists of relatively inexpensive equipment that would be of benefit to the kid using their club (which means less of the little buggers hanging about on the street, messing about with your bike).

Whatever sort of run you do, it makes sense to talk to the recipients first to see what they need. Of course, many clubs choose to do their charity support via fund-raising events and parties (as with so many wonderful clubs who choose to support the NABD) but even then it is well to ask a few questions of the recipients.

One important question to ask, before raising a cash donation, is 'What percentage of donations is used for administration costs?'. With many charities you will be amazed (and/or disgusted) with their answer. The NABD guarantees that 100% of your donation will be used specifically on the purpose for which it is donated, as our administration costs are covered by our membership fees and our own fundraising events. Few charities can make this claim, and some will decimate your donation by taking anything up to 90% for administration (company cars, nice offices, new carpets, big wages and all the other shit that charities should not spend your money on).

If you find that your intended charity plan to take a lump out of your donation, you can do one of two things. Either dump them, or buy a piece of equipment they need and deliver it to them (it is hard to take 40% of a hospital burns unit bed for administration). 

The upshot of all this is 'Ask questions first then think on it awhile' that way your run or gig really does do some good and the sense of achievement is real.

Of course, some would say the obvious question is 'Will it benefit bikers?' but I'll leave you to think on that one awhile.

Rick Hulse