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The 2nd bikes4flight has now taken place and although the weather wasn't good and kept the number of bikes on the run down we had a good day. In all there was around 600 - 650 bikes. For us to collect virtually the same as last year with less bikes was a good achievement. We were also lucky as a lot of events in Cornwall have been cancelled due to bad weather. Hopefully weather next year will allow us to do better. I and the members of rideout-sw along with all the bikes4flight sponsors would like to thank all who came on this run and donated to the Air ambulance. Without you there would be no bikes4flight. There would be no air ambulance if it wasn't for all the people throughout the county who do donate to them. As was pointed out last year the CAAT do not have any government funding and is funded purely from people like you and me. What we raised will only keep the Ambulance in the air for around 8 hours. Not very long you say? well i say different, that 8 hours has just made a difference to peoples lives, and for every penny raised no matter how big or small will make a difference to the people of Cornwall. Every little bit helps!
Please if you was there this year leave us your feedback on the guestbook. Also if you have any pictures please send them in and we will add them to the bikes4flight 2008 gallery.
 As you all know we kept the concept of two start points, one Penzance and one in Plymouth. From 9am on Sunday bikes start to pour into the Wharside car park in penzance ready to join in with this run. The atmosphere was relaxed and positive with people passing their donations to the marshall's on site. First and last Motorcycle Club were there ready to marshall the run up to the Royal Cornwall showground. The local people and holiday makers in Penzance were amazed at all the bikes out in force to collect money for the Ambulance. Well 11am came round and with everyone started up and ready go they were off on the trip to the showground. For anyone who has never heard 400 bikes start their engines and set off should make their way to either Penzance or plymouth on 9th Aug 2009 and see it for themselves. It truly is amazing. So the bikes leave followed bike a support vehicle from Damerells Motorcycles. The run headed along the A30 before changing direction towards Newquay and then over to Bodmin through to Wadebridge.
 In Plymouth like in Penzance bikes started to roll in at early on Sunday morning to GT Motorcycles. Numbers were slightly down in Plymouth and we have put this down to the weather not being as good there. although there was still a very good turn out. So the marshall's ( members of rideout-sw ) were there going over all the last minute details ready for an 11am start. Again at 11am the riders set of with the marshall's leading over to the A38 down over the tamar bridge and through the saltash tunnel before heading along the A388 to Launceston. From here it was across country to camelford. I have had reports that people were waving and taking pictures from the pavements and houses as they all passed through. then on down the A39 to Wadebridge.
 Amazingly as planned bikes from both runs reached the roundabout on the wadebridge by-pass at the same time to do the last mile or so leading up to the showground together. Bikes arrived at the showground from around 12.30 and were marshalled into the ground for parking. The marshalling from start to finish was well orchestrated and went without any hitches. After parking it was time to take a look at the stands, grab some food and drink and chill out while watching The Steely-Eyed Missile Men play live.
We were waiting for the helicopter at around 2pm, it was due to land at the ground on its way back from a shout to the base in Newquay. There is a note from the CAAT at the bottom of the page which will explain this more.
Unfortunately not long after this the rain came in and shortened the day as everyone made a mad rush to home before getting too wet. In all a great day for a worthy cause.
I personally would like to thank all those that have helped me pull this run off, it wasn't easy, we needed marshals at 3 venues and getting volunteers is never easy, but we managed it, everyone involved was part of this. From dealers, caterers, IAM, BMF, members handing out leaflets, distribution of posters, first and last motorcycle club, Devon and Cornwall Police, bands, friends and family, Atlantic FM, The Royal Cornwall Show Ground, Penwith District Council. And to all those who attended the run and donated to the Air Ambulance. Without any of you there would have been no Bikes For Flight.
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We did have a number of stands that were advertised and didn't show on the day. All I can do is apologise to you all for this, we advertised them and you may have been expecting to see them there. Hopefully next year we will have all advertised stands at the showground.
Page updated 12 Aug 2008 by Heath Everett ( bikes4flight admin)
Email From The CAAT.
As you know, in Cornwall we have just one air ambulance helicopter, and although we do try to make it available for a selected number of public relations events each year, the emergency needs on the day and the weather are the two factors that can result in a no show. Unfortunately the emergency needs in Cornwall had to take priority on Sunday, with our air ambulance helicopter being dispatched 6 times during that day. Around the time we were hoping to see it arrive at Wadebridge, it had to attend an emergency in Bude, from where a very serious casualty was taken to Derriford. Almost immediately afterwards, the helicopter was needed near Padstow, where a young boy had suffered serious trauma injury to his leg and needed to be taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro. Shortly after that, the crew attended a horseriding incident near Perranporth. In short, they were the busiest air ambulance in the South West on that day, and didn’t even have time to stop for a cup of tea!
I’m really pleased to say that none of the incidents of the day involved motorcyclists, which is a great relief when we had so many in the county enjoying your bike run from both Plymouth and Penzance, and we are sorry that the helicopter didn’t arrive as hoped. Just occasionally someone will step forward and criticize using the helicopter for PR, but where there is wider community benefit, (in this case the road safety message in conjunction with the police – being air lifted to hospital following a motorbike RTC really isn’t a place you want to be!), the trustees will always give events like yours serious consideration.
Although your event was affected by the weather, you were lucky in as much as many others in the last week have been cancelled completely. Thank you for your huge efforts this year. I know the crew will look forward to receiving the cheque and I will feedback to them tomorrow night at the next air crew meeting.
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