Community / Bikers rev up for charity motorcycle parade
ORGANISERS of motorcycle parade which raised around £10,000 for charity a couple of years ago are gearing up for their second event next month.
Shetland Motorcyclists For Charity’s parade will take place on Sunday 11 August.
Bikers will meet at Lerwick’s Victoria Pier from 1pm before setting off a couple of hours later on a 10-mile route.
The motorcyclists will leave Lerwick out of the south exit and head through the Black Gaet before driving back into town via the north entrance.
Money raised through the parade will go to the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Support, Disability Shetland and the Shetland MRI scanner appeal.
The parade is again being organised by brothers Robert and Lewie Tulloch, and Lewie’s daughter Ashlea Tulloch.
The family decided to raise money for charity when their mother Ann Tulloch passed away from cancer in 2016, while they also want to promote a positive image of the local motorbike community.
Robert and Lewie were inspired by Dave Taylor – AKA the Wheelie King – and his visit to Lerwick in the 1980s to promote road safety, with motorbike stunts carried out on Burgh Road.
The parade first took place in 2017, with over 180 bikers of all ages and experience taking part.
This year will see some people travelling up from the UK mainland to be involved and the Tullochs are keen to encourage anyone with a motorbike to take part in the parade.
“We were overwhelmed at the success of 2017’s event, and still can’t believe we raised almost £10,000 for Disability Shetland and Macmillan Cancer Support (Shetland Branch),” Ashlea said.
“We’ve decided to also fundraise for the MRI Scanner Appeal this year and will be splitting all money raised between the three charities equally.
“We feel very personally connected to these worthy causes, like a lot of Shetlanders do, and hope that everyone comes together to show their support at the event.
“We want to urge everyone on the island with a motorcycle to take part in the parade; nobody is too old, too inexperienced, and every type of bike is welcome.
“Our aim is to showcase how brilliant our motorcycling community is and hope to see plenty of folk at the pier to enjoy the spectacle – over 100 bikes taking off at the same time is not a sight you see every day.”
Motorcyclists taking part in the event are asked to collect donations in advance, with sponsor forms available from the DITT shop in Lerwick.
Spectators are encouraged to watch along the route, while food, refreshments and live music will be on offer at the pier and Harrison Square.
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