Introduction
(by Paul Oxborough)
Welcome to our September 2022 Newsletter.
We start this newsletter with the very sad news that we have lost one of our team members, Dave Martin.
Mental Health Motorbike would like to send our sincerest condolences to all Dave’s family and friends. Read on for a more detailed testimonial to Dave in this newsletter.
Dave was a friend and hero to many we sincerely hope now he can rest in peace free of pain.
Paul Oxo
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EVENTS
(by Paul Oxborough)
We are proud to announce our 70th event was over at the Manchester Triumph Owners club, where we did a 50 minute guest speech about Mental Health Motorbike. it was really well received and will lead to more work with this great club in 2023.
Breakdown of the 70 events is:
- Talk/presentations = 8
- Race meetings = 8
- Fundraising events = 2
- Bike meetups = 17
- Partner led events = 22
- Bike rideouts (run by partners) = 7
- Visits to cafe/shops = 6
We are well on target for meeting one of our core objectives which was 75 events in 2022
If you would like to get involved with us at an event, please contact :
events@mhmotorbike.com
To Volunteer (click here)
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WEEBLE'S WORLD
Night ride......
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DUNLOP TYRES
(by Paul Oxborough)
Mental Health Motorbike would like to say a massive thank you to David Plummer, the sales and marketing manager for Dunlop. Following a chance meeting at The Overland Event in Oxfordshire, Dunlop have agreed to put new tyres on the flagship Mental Health Motorbike.
This bike is doing thousands of miles every year meeting bikers in need. To have to security of good tyres (Dunlop Mutant tyres) and to have this level of industry Support is really important to our charity. Thanks to Dunlop for being proactive and such a great support.
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Dave Martin - a personal tribute to a great man
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What does it mean to go through 100 rounds of chemotherapy?
How strong does your will to live need to be? Giving up two weeks out of four so you can recover from that brutal poison inside you killing the cancer that’s even more brutal inside you. It’s like facing Tyson Fury in a rematch every fortnight x 100. That is what it means to want to live!
When you’re told by the NHS that the drug that you need is experimental and not on the approved list so you have to pay thousands £’s every month for it, but still you choose to do this because your desire to live is greater than giving up. What does this say about the person fighting?
For me the word "warrior" first came to mind. When you then hear what Dave Martin was going through. Despite this he decides to cram in all the trips he has on his bucket list. A trip across America, another through the highlands of Norway, and then a little trip from John O’Groats to Lands End riding on a 125 Sinnis! With L plates (so no motorways). Guess what…? the word warrior suddenly wasn’t a big enough word to describe this nutter!
A new word started to formulate, but first let us understand what a warrior, actually is…
The definition of warrior is: a person engaged or experienced in warfare. broadly : a person engaged in some struggle or conflict.
Very apt for our Dave but for me it still a bigger word… something was missing. Where do you go when warrior isn’t enough, you move into a different territory, a better word is "LEGEND!".
100 rounds of chemo! Tirelessly working for our charity without sharing the personal battle, never moaning, just positivity, constantly inspiring people (he would say others are dealing with worse situations than his) wanting to get back to work again - staggering. A legend x10. The universe can really learn so much about humanity from people like Dave.
LEGEND. This is what Dave Martin was to Mental Health Motorbike. For two years he was a living legend within our organisation, supporting others, whilst having the biggest fight of his life going on as one of his small side projects! So great was his desire to live.
And Dave had so much to live for, such a desire to live it to the full. He was always talking about his lovely wife Krina, making their home a better place (not sure about the chickens though) planning his next trip, taking on step-by-step DIY projects and sharing them with others to help with their own mental health problems and struggles with their own illnesses. He was always keen to share his skills and knowledge.
It’s hard to comprehend how brutal and unfair life can be at times. Why are the ones that give so much kindness and support to others taken away so soon?
Our charity got to know Dave during Covid, on our virtual ride outs, when he would share amazing workshop projects. I got to know him as a friend as he gave so much to Mental Health Motorbike he was my admin wingman approving all new members and helping us get better systems in place. We met at Overland a number of times and had lots of things in common. He’s the sort of friend everybody needs in their lives. Funny, reliable, caring and very authentic!
Inevitably he will leave a massive meteor sized void for family and friends left behind, but at least now he’s not struggling with the pain and brutality of cancer. He’s finally at rest from this struggle. We can also take so much of our time with Dave forward, don’t sit and wait do it whilst you can. #getoutdostuff
Wherever you now are now Dave I sincerely hope there are lots of hills and mountains for you to go and explore on the biggest badass motorbike out there. Get some routes and amazing adventures planned for us as one day we will join you and ride them together mate.
I can’t imagine what his family are going through right now, but all I can say in the short time I knew him he made a lasting impact on me and how I want to live my life and you should be very proud of this great man - this legend x.
Ride free our wonderful biker brother. Ride pain free, until the next time we meet, you will be missed so much x
Paul OXO
Founding Member
MENTAL HEALTH MOTORBIKE
#getoutdostuff
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The Overland Event 2022
(by Martin Smith)
One of the highlights of the calendar is The Overland Event held in Oxford. It attracts the best overland authors and presenters in a relaxed and intimate environment and has become somewhat of a Mental Health Motorbike pilgrimage.
This year’s event is the third year that the team have attended. As ever Saul and Paddy were very welcoming and in addition to those assisting at the stall there were group members volunteering at the event. The result was a feeling of a family get-together.
For those who have yet to experience the event, it runs from Thursday to Sunday. The accommodation is largely camping although the facilities of Hill End do give the option of dorm accommodation. Dotted around the main stage and presentation venues there are stalls offering adventure wares and experiences. You will find authors signing books and presentations from travellers from around the world talking about their experiences. For many of us, the focal point was the bar with live music each evening with a party feel.
Despite the numerous food options on sale, I decided to join Lisa Thomas for a cooking session having been notified via email as to which ingredients were required. I think everyone was impressed by the end results https://www.redsmartie.com/2022/09/the-roadside-sous-chef-aka-cooking-with-lisa-thomas-at-the-overland-event-2022/
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MANCHESTER TRIUMPH OWNERS CLUB (MTOC)
(by Diame Oxborough)
Over the last two years we have built a great relationship with Manchester Triumph Owners Club (MTOC). They are such a friendly bunch and it’s a great atmosphere whenever you go io the Navigation Hotel, Woodley, where they have their meet ups.
Mental Health Motorbike were invited to do a talk about our work, and it was really well received.
Kevin Stonier from MTOC said “We had two different bikes at the club last night. Both from organisations with the same purpose. That is to try and save a life. We had a talk from Mental Health Motorbike, and I have to say it is one of the most poignant and meaningful talks we’ve had at the club. The other is a blood bike adopted and sponsored by by mantomcc. (not donated). It is now officially named Hinckley, well done to our own club member Brian Rushton for being the brains behind that. Great night, great turn out, thank you to everyone for being there”
If you’d like us to do a talk at your club or event and then maybe you could help us by doing some fundraising afterwards, please contact us events@mhmotorbike.com
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We need your support to keep the charity running, can you give a few pounds each month? click on the link of QR code below ...
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RAFFLE PRIZES
(By Karen Cole)
Any of you who have watched some form of bike racing whether an amateur trials event or a world superbike round will know how essential Race Marshals are. Motorsport events would not be possible without this group of dedicated volunteers.
Mental Health Motorbike want to acknowledge the role played by Race Marshals. Although there is a lot of support already in place, Mental Health Motorbike recognise that Race Marshals have to cope with a variety of often disturbing and difficult, mentally challenging situations. They are of course trained in essential first aid and are first on the scene of any incidents. They will sometimes witness things that most of us would not wish to see. The effects of this can vary from person to person, but for many the memories will persist long after the incident and can have a negative impact on their mental health, some may even feel the need to give up marshalling.
This is where Mental Health First Aiders can offer effective help and support, so Mental Health Motorbike have decided to organise a raffle which will be drawn at Motorcycle Live. It will raise funds specifically to enable the offer of Mental Health First Aid training, free of charge, to Race Marshals. The aim is to provide a national network of qualified marshals who can offer support to their colleagues.
We’ll be selling tickets both online and on our stand at the NEC. We are compiling a list of exciting prizes, so look out for the details and please help us sell as many tickets as possible!
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Attendance at the Staffordshire Biker Breakfasts 2022
- Port Vale FC, Stoke on Trent – 12.6.22
- Tittersworth Reservoir, Leek – 3.7.22
- Halfpenny Airport, Wolverhampton – 24.7.22
- JCB, Uttoxeter = 14.8.22
It has been a real pleasure to represent Mental Health Motorbike this year and be able to attend and be part of the Staffordshire Biker Breakfasts. The events have become a bit of a big thing and it is great to be asked to take part by Kevin Wilcox the Road Safety Officer for Staffordshire County Council and get the chance to pop up the gazebo and spread the Mental Health Motorbike word….and get a free breakfast cob as well!
The events have been incredibly well attended and we have been able to make so many new connections and meet some incredible people. The diversity and richness of the biking community really comes together at these events and demonstrates how motorcycles bring this community together.
Being able to get out and about and let people know who we are and what we do to support our fellow bikers is always a privilege for me. Many have opened up about their personal difficulties and circumstances, being there to listen, support and let them know we are here is a great feeling. Also, there are those who are in awe of what we do and support and donate generously to support us with the purchase of the odd t-shirt and sticker.
At the events a number of our friends were there: Mary from Thornicroft Solicitors; Carol form DocBike & many more from our uniformed service friends promoting motorcycle safety. So great days and the MHMotorbike message delivered to more fellow bikers and a lot more friends made.
Looking forward to 2023! Take care and ride safe
Mark JJ Johnson
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Why not sign up to do a future MHFA course...
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