I've been involved in motorcycling for many years now, and have always held a great interest in Real Road Racing on the Mainland, Isle of Man and Ireland for many of them.
As a result of this interest, I become involved in various Biking Web Sites, where I have had the great fortune to meet up with many like-minded individuals. As a result of this common interest, we have all come to the conclusion that we wanted to put something back into the sport we all love and respect, and to this end evolved the End2End Challenge.
Kevin M Collier
Admin – www.end2endfund.com
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nIn April 2007, twelve motorcycle road race fans are going to undertake a journey from Lands End to John O’Groats on motorcycles. We will cover the approximate 1000-mile route in 3 days. We will be giving up our own free time and expense to make this journey. It is our way of demonstrating a commitment to keep the crucial Air Ambulance in service as it scrambles and flies to the rescue of fallen riders along the 37.5 mile stretch of public and mountain roads in the Isle of Man during the TT and MGP and all other races on the island, and swiftly transporting them to hospitals where their injuries can be best dealt with.
nAlthough the Air Ambulance is paid for by the Manx government it still requires additional funding to provide the best response to fallen riders and their immediate evacuation to hospital. Rob Vine, from Dover, was a competitor who was killed at Black Dub in 1985. The Rob Vine Fund was set up in his memory to supply medical equipment all around the TT course in Response Vehicles, Marshall points and the Helicopter.
nTo say the Helicopter saves lives is an understatement. There are many riders alive and well today who owe their lives to this facility. In the current developments of ‘safer road racing and circuits’, this particular service plays a crucial part by being able to arrive at the scene of any incident within 5 minutes of lift-off. This rapid response can mean the difference between life and death. The medical equipment provided by the Rob Vine fund ensures that injured riders receive top quality medical care whilst waiting for the air ambulance to arrive and during their flight to hospital.
nWe are taking this opportunity to kindly request that you bear a thought for the people who are saved by these assets. It is not only the rider who is saved…think of his or her family…their sons and daughters…mothers and fathers…think of their friends…we are all affected by the loss of someone at some time or another. When we are presented with an opportunity to do something to prevent such a loss….. can we afford to ignore it?
