Veterans’ charity received £5k from Ring of Red Remembrance ride on M60

A fantastic £5,000 was donated to a veterans’ charity from the funds raised by the Ring of Red M60 Remembrance bike ride 2023.

Veterans In Communities, which supports veterans across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, and East Lancashire, was the charity to benefit from the Remembrance ride which encircles the M60 with red-clad motorbike riders and pillion passengers on Remembrance Sunday.

Organisers Jeanette Kiely and Mandi Latham-Holmes visited VIC’s base to pass on the cheque and they also made a surprise announcement.

Normally, the Ring of Red M60 supports different charities each year, but Jeanette and Mandi were so impressed with the work of the Haslingden-based VIC, they have agreed to support the charity each year going forward.

VIC chief executive Amanda Walton said: “We are extremely grateful to Ring of Red M60 for their support this year and the very generous continued support in years to come.

“The money raised will be used for projects and activities for veterans to get involved with; it will support our art group, the allotment, our railway club and other project.

“Last year was the first time I have been able to attend the Ring of Red and the atmosphere was electrifying. As a biker, it took me back into that era and it was just the best.

“Several members of VIC now have bikes and have gone on to pass their motorcycle test.”

Although the weather was horrendous for last year’s event, 2,000 bikers took part, one pillion passenger came from Canada and sat behind her son, others travelled from Scotland and Cornwall just to take part.

Jeanette said: “We decided, because it was the 10th anniversary, we would look back on charities that we had supported in the past and select one to benefit.

“I had been to VIC before, but Mandi hadn’t so I brought her along to see what the charity is all about.”

Mandi said: “Jeanette spoke about the charity with a lot of passion, and when visited I heard all about the work the charity did during Covid to support the veterans. Some charities stopped work but VIC found different ways to continue working and I thought it was amazing how they kept everyone together.”

The sale on online merchandise, mostly ahead of the ride, raised £3,966 and further money was raised by the sale of photographs by Envision Images, a bucket collection and breakfasts provided by Castleton Motorcycles.

Jeanette said: “We only pick charities that rely upon grants or donations - so 100 per cent of the donation goes to benefit veterans.

“Birch Services is run by Moto Services and they have been really supportive of us for the 10 years; we could not do the Ring of Red without them.

“Our first event had 600 bikers, the most we have had was in 2022 when 6,000 came along. Everyone gives their time for free, police, highways agency and the staff at Moto Services.”

VIC supports armed forces and blue light services veterans and their families.