Thousands of bikers from throughout the country are planning a spectacular mass ride through Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire on Mother’s Day to honour the people of Wootton Bassett and the soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan.

They are expected to ride through the Wiltshire town on Sunday March 14 and then gather on the runway at RAF Lyneham. They will there hand over funds raised for the Afghan Heroes charity – set up last September by a group of mother’s who lost their sons in Afghanistan.

The idea came from 18-year-old biker Elizabeth Stevens, who planned a ride with just a few friends, but has now had pledges from motorcycling groups throughout the country that they want to take part in the ride.

The bikers will descend on Wiltshire from throughout the UK and gather at the Leigh Delamere services on the M4 (Junction 17 – eastbound) before the mass ride through Wootton Bassett to RAF Lyneham at 12 noon where the fallen were repatriated into the UK.

Each rider will pay £5 (on the day) and receive a special commemorative Afghan Heroes wristband, which will be their entry pass to the RAF base.

All proceeds raised from the ride will go to the Afghan Heroes charity, which helps our service personnel in theatre, families of the fallen and our returning troops.

Denise Harris, whose son Corporal Lee Scott, aged 26, lost his life in an explosion last July, said: “To have so many people thinking of us on Mother’s Day is just astonishing and overwhelming and it will be very emotional to see so many bikers showing their support to the people of Wootton Bassett and for our boys and Girls.
“I believe everyone at the RAF base is also pleased that so many people want to pay their respects to the fallen and to Wootton Bassett for everything they have done, and with people saying they will ride from North Wales, Derbyshire, Yorkshire and the South East they decided to open the gates so that the bikers had somewhere to gather. We will be proud to accept the funds raised at the air base.”

Classical singer Tim Pitman will sing the specially composed song “Fields of Green” which he recorded to raise funds for Afghan Heroes at the RAF Lyneham gathering.

A Facebook Group called “Bike Run in support of Wootton Bassett: Sunday 14th March 2010” has been set up by the organisers Elizabeth Stevens, Daniel Forder and Julia Stevenson. to co-ordinate the event. All bikers who wish to take part and enter the RAF base are asked to register by going to www.afghanheroes.org.uk by 15th February for security reasons.
RAF Lyneham cannot take any responsibility for Bikes, Bikers or accidents while on the base.