Four motorcyclists from RAF Lossiemouth have set off on a mammoth trek, aiming to cover 3,000 miles across the UK in just one week.
The crew left the Moray base early yesterday morning and have already raised more than £3,000 towards their goal of £10,000.
Flight Sergeant Mark Radcliffe, Corporal David Thorne, Senior Aircraftsmen Jack Yardley and former Chief |Technician Andy Reed were joined for their departure by station commander, Group Captain Mark Chappell.
The keen bikers will travel around a total of 39 military sites from familiar RAF stations to Army, Navy and even US Air Force bases.
Flt Sgt Ratcliffe said: “We’ve been keen motorcyclists for years and thought it would be a great challenge to visit all the active and many of the historic stations in the country.
“When we started planning this trip, it was an easy choice to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
“They really do help the whole RAF family – whether you’re serving in the north of Scotland at RAF Lossiemouth or at RAF Valley in Wales, if you’re still in uniform or if you retired 70 years ago.”
The friends were inspired to complete the trip by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s Long Way Round which involved the pair travelling from London to New York.
So far their fundraising efforts have included a collection in Asda last weekend and an auction of a 617 squadron picture.
Mike Neville, director of fundraising at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Few people realise the extent of the work the RAF Benevolent Fund does.
“Last year we spent almost £750,000 to aid serving personnel and their families in Scotland. Without the funds raised by our supporters, up and down the country, we simply could not deliver the wide range of services and support we do.”
The group will finish in front of the spectacular backdrop of the Highland Military Tattoo on Sunday.
To donate
https://www.justgiving.com/therafwayround/