A MOTORBIKE ride out raised more than £8,000 for the life-saving charity DocBike which helps people injured in motorbike collisions.

The annual event saw bikers set off from locations in Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset to arrive at the Dorset Bike Festival in Bere Regis in September.

The DocBike charity combines a highly qualified (consultant-level) doctor or critical care paramedic with two wheels to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads due to motorcycle collisions.

Over 600 people turned out in support of the Dorset Bike Festival who enjoyed the bike displays, the array of stalls from motorbike dealerships, live music and a raffle which saw prizes donated by businesses in Dorset.

The event also provided DocBike volunteers with the opportunity to engage with motorcyclists to raise awareness of their work and how bikers can upskill their ride, along with sharing how to keep other injured motorcyclists alive until the emergency services arrive by attending a free BikerDown course.

Brett Callaghan, regional lead for Somerset and Avon, and deputy national director of DocBike said: “This was the first time that we held the end point of our ride out at the Dorset Bike Festival and we are delighted that it was such a success.

“The DocBike charity receives no funding from the government and relies on the generosity of the public to continue our life-saving work, so we are thrilled to have raised such a fantastic amount which will help towards our ever-growing operational costs.

“Leading the Devon, Somerset and Avon ride into the Dorset Bike Festival was an amazing feeling; you could really sense the atmosphere as we came down the driveway.

“I could not believe how many people were milling around the displays, food tents and of course the DocBike stands, and on top of that, the sun was shining!

“We hope to see this event grow even further and become a ‘must do’ event for all motorcyclists.”

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along and supported the event, and to extend special thanks to Wooders Campsite, Perfect Party Tents, Moore Speed Racing, Ducati Bournemouth and Destination Triumph Dorset, for organising such a fantastic festival and end point for the ride out.”

More information about DocBike can be found by visiting www.DocBike.org