Wootton Bassett... 2011 Ride of respect

Ride of respect Wootton Bassett 2011...

Wootton Bassett Ride Of Respect: How It All Began . . .

On the 7th January 2010 an 18 year old girl called Lizzie Stevens put out a call on "Facebook" for anyone who was interested on going for a bike ride to Wootton Bassett. Julia Stevenson replied immediately with an offer of assistance.

Overwhelmed with the already 15 strong response and the inevitable organisation involved, young Lizzie was grateful for the offer of help from Julia, but at this point she decided to pull out from the ride altogether and so asked Julia if she would take over the ride to Wootton Bassett.

So in at the deep end, Julia all of a sudden had an entire ride to plan, on her own. Little did she know of what was to follow!

The first step for Julia Stevenson was to organise a date. The 14th of March came to mind, mid month, which coincidently happened to be Mother's Day and latter was to become very appropriate indeed.

The idea of a charity ride quickly came about, but to what charity? After a google search for "Heroes" Afghan Heroes was the first hit, a charity put together by a group of mothers who had lost their sons at war in Afghanistan, the perfect collaboration.

The announcement of the revised ride created an astonishing response and within days there were 1000's who wanted to participate. So much for a little jaunt down to Wootton Bassett for Julia & friends!!!

Julia Stevenson, with her good friend Steve Dennis by her side, took the bull by the horns. There was much to be done and no time to waste. Permits and licenses needed to be obtained and a place to assemble was paramount. Pinpointing a location that would accommodate all the bikers proved a difficult task until Julia discovered the airfield at Buckley Barracks. The MOD saved the day by pulling out all the stops to make the event happen. The ride came together after many trials and tribulations with help from The Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Count Council, The Highways Agency, Hills Waste all gave their services for nothing. Julia was inundated with offers of assistance from Unity Support Riders and bikers from all over the country. Money was raised for Afghan Heroes by some with merchandise and others through collections. A short time before the event a senior member of Ogri offered to marshal on the airfield a long side the Royal British Legion Riders. This help was invaluable, relieving an enormous amount of pressure.

Amongst all this, Julia received a phone call from a Government official declaring, "Mrs Stevenson, you have created a monster. It's bigger than Ben Hur and it would be political suicide if we tried to stop you!" It was at this point she suddenly thought "OMG what have I started!"

The day started at 7.30 in Hullavington with an empty airfield and a mass of cones. Bikers arrived in their 100's that progressed to an astonishing 15,000 strong throwing envelopes and cash donations into buckets. As a non political ride, the biking community came together as one, proud. Turning what was once a ride to the pub with a group of mates into a very humbling experience that was felt not only by Julia, but nationwide.
Heading the ride, Julia left the airfield and rode into Wootton Basset, stunned and overcome with emotion at the sheer mass of people, even those wheel chair bound, that lined the streets waving their support.
After the last ride had left the airfield, Julia, tearful and exhausted yet brimming with pride, sat down in disbelief at what had been accomplished by the people that had given of their time freely.

Ride Of Respect raised £110,834.00

That was 2010...........

Julia Stevenson did an amazing job in organising the entire Wootton Bassett ride and she's at it again for 2011 . . . This time with help from Nick Gale, Anne Cole and the rest of the team that has been put together for the Ride Of Respect . . . to ensure she doesn't have a nervous breakdown!!

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[monaghaned]

Ill write what were and how i want

[ChuckieFinzter]

@monaghaned Ok... but you make yourself look like a right idiot. So when you make a comment that try to put your view acoss you should at least try to make it understandable.

Ok ... ach a dhéanann tú féin cuma mhaith ar leathcheann ceart. Mar sin, nuair a dhéanann tú a comment go bhfuil iarracht a chur acoss do thuairim ar a laghad, ba chóir duit iarracht a dhéanamh í a thuiscint.

[monaghaned]

correct 

[ChuckieFinzter]

@monaghaned....... If you are going to make comments on my video, please write it so it can be easily understood.

Thank you.

[monaghaned]

Dead wooden bastards live like a empire slave u die like 1

[ChuckieFinzter]

@monaghaned ........Obviously English is NOT your first language lol

[IdiotWithTheBlueEyes]

lolz googling where i live ~

[darkstar3x16]

@2wheelpaul Until they all come out and confront you from honouring your troops. Of course we haven't had much of that recently since EDL have scared them all.

[2wheelpaul]

@darkstar3x16 dont be a muppet, its to pay respect to soldiers whatever their race, gender or religion. Its not linked to far right groups like the english defence league

[ChuckieFinzter]

@darkstar3x16 ??????