Money Is now Raised for: Copy and paste link into your browser

Caudwell Children - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adfG9ReBMbI

The National Association of Bikers with Disabilities - www.nabd.org.uk

All money raise is split equally between both charities.

____________________________________________________________

August 2010 My, then 12yr old, daughter and I set of on a sponsored trike run from; Hull and back via Lands End and John O'Groats. We covered over 1900 miles in 7 days. Jess was my navigator on the run but we still reckon it was google maps fault for the extra mileage!!

Jess and I chose two charities that represented Jess's and my different age groups.

Whizz Kidz.

A Charity that can provide specialist mobility equipment to children and young adults with disabilities so that they can be as independent as possible.

I grew up with a disability, I was involved in an RTA at 18months old, and this left me paralyzed from the waist down. Due to Pressure Sores I had both my legs and part of my pelvis removed. I have a good knowledge how cumbersome some of the equipment is that you receive from the NHS services. I also know how important it is as a child to be as independent as possible and so get a good healthy sense of self. Specialist disabled equipment is so expensive that alot of parents have no choice but to accept inadequate NHS wheelchairs. These can leave children dependent and isolated from their siblings and peers. The correct wheelchair releases them and allow kids to be kids.

NABD (National Association for Bikers with Disabilities).

A charity which helps get disabled bikers on their bikes or trikes. They provide advice on what adaption’s are available as well as provide grants for the adaptations. NABD also fight for the rights of disabled bikers.

NABD helped me out when I was having my Yamaha FZX 750 Fazer trike, Gertrude, built. They supplied the adaption and gave some money towards their fitting. Specialist disabled adaptations tend to be so expensive that a lot of disabled people can only afford the practical things in life. Being able to adapt a bike, trike or quad adds another dimension to a person’s life. If offers both enjoyment, freedom from the reality of pain and in some cases isolation. If you have ever been in the cue for a rally on your bike or trike you'll know the feeling you get is not one that can be experienced a car.

We started the run on Saturday 21 August 2010 from The Sportsman Pub, 451 Hedon Road, Hull, North Humberside, HU9 1SQ. finished on Friday 27 August 2010 unfortunately we didn't make it back to the sportsman Pub as Gerty's chain bounced loose and took out the clutch pin before becoming wedged around the front sprocket. We did however get as far a Thirsk, North Yorkshire and was only 50miles short of out destination. Both Jess and I were gutted, it took Bob, Myself and members of Hull and District MCC to console Jess reassuring her that she did not let anyone down.

As well as raise money for our chosen charities, we raised over £5000. We hoped this event would raise awareness as to what disabled people are capable of achieving. Inspire children and adults, whether they are disabled or not, to chase dreams and show how everyone has the potential to have a positive impact on someone elses life.

The run was a totally amazing experience, Yvonne, Andy, Jess And Myself had the adventure of a lifetime and made a lifetimes worth of memories. With fellow bikers/trikers waiting in layby's, motorway service stations for us so they could ride with us for a stretch.

One place, I had Jess screaming in my ear as she spotted a banner made of cloth wishing us luck. The next thing we were joined by loads Trikes and bikes taking over the little chef in devon. You should have seen the staff's faces. Jess thought that was the best morning ever.

We then Met up with the RBLR Cornwall Branch and together rode to Lands End. What a fantastic bunch to ride with.

From there it was off up to Melvern where we stayed at the Puddle Lane B&B. What a beautiful place and such a lovely couple run it, Pauline and Keith gotobed. I was fortunate enough to be able to make one of Paulines dreams come true and took her out for a ride on Gerty. Jess loved getting Pauline kitted out in her bike gear.

The following day, we met up with Vic Hawkes and David Silburn, who were to make up the John O'Groats Crew. Laurell-lea and Lorna were to Join us that night at yet another fantastic B&B, Buchan Guest House. It was like being at home as we took over the dining area to tuck into a take away.

Our little band was set for the longest and hardest day, the run to John O'Groats. My right wrist was giving me Jip, my hand was swollen and I couldn't close my fingers. So it was a late start as we kept rubbing Ibruprofen gel into my hand to get it moving. I still didn't think I was going to be able to make it and was ready to call it quits when vic gave me a bit of plastic that hooked round the throttle allowing me to operate the throttle with the base of my hand taking away the need to grip so tightly. Vic saved the day and the run, I still have that bit of plastic, Thank you vic.

David Silburn, well what can I say. He is a lovely, calm guy, who managed to keep everyone motivated, he never got flustered and was great with our Jess. He had her wrapped round his finger and no matter how tired she got he could bring a smile to her face. Which was a plus on that particular night when we found ourselves without anywhere to stay and searching for something to eat. Too long a story to go into on here, but we all got sorted if a bit spreadout.

We made it to John O'Groats! Gerty felt it fitting to wee petrol over the sign which sort of summed up all of ours feelings and relief of being there. We said goodbye to Vic and made the push to Dunfirmline and the journey home.

The trip to Dunfirmline was on the wettest day of the whole trip. Gerty got water in her plugs and was playing up a bit. Laurell, Lorna and Jess were taking photo's of rainbows as I got totally stressed and bear like in attitude. David, Vic, Yvonne and Andy remained calm. We did make it to the hotel in Dunfermline, I nelieve some hitech WD40 was involved lol, although we were all very cold and very wet. I have never known rain go through Gortex, obviously I had never experienced scottish rain before.

The last day and thankfully a lovely, sunny, warm, dry day. I lost Andy, Yvonne, Lorna and Laurell somewhere on the Edinburgh ring road. But David and I made it to the A68 and met up with Bryan. Together we were all enjoying the views, the roads, the harleys that were passing us in the opposite direction (I believe there was a harley rally somewhere). Then on the way into Jedburgh my throttle cable snapped. We did have break down and the RAC came out and got Gerty going again, very nice man! The trip was going well, we'd done the rollercoaster part of the A68, that was so much fun and even woke Jess up who went from falling asleep to having her arms in the air while making whooping noises lol. We said goodbye to Bryan and met up with Bob. and continued on to Thirsk where we were to say goodbye to David. It was within 15 minutes of saying goodbye to David that disaster happened and the run was brought to an abrupt end. We had intended to complete the run by going back to thirsk and riding in to Hull once Gerty was fixed. This as of yet has not happened due to my health, but don't rule it out :0) Photo's of the Run can be seen on facebook, www.facebook.com/hull.and.back

AS most of you know, a rally was born from the run. The Dirty Gerty Rally, held on the third weekend in October 2010. The rally was organised in six weeks, With the help of Fat Maggot Clothing and Wozwolf Rally Club and the following bands:

Saor Patrol - http://www.saorpatrol.com/fr_aboutus.cfm

Exhibit A - http://www.exhibit-a-rock.co.uk/

Small Print - Unfortunatley Split up :(

2 x Elvis's - No Contact Details

Ravenage - http://www.myspace.com/officialravenage

Alice in Thunderland - http://www.myspace.com/aliceinthunderlanduk

who all donated their time to help Jess and I thank everyone who sponsored the run and to hand over the cheques. The rally was such a huge success, raising a further £1596.46 making the total raised from the run and the rally to a massive £6996.48, that I got pushed into having another rally in 2011. You can see pictures of the rally via Captain Smurf's flickr page - http://www.flickr.com/photos/captainsmurf/sets/72157625170673609/

The third weekend October 2011, and the 2nd Dirty Gerty Charity Rally took place at Dene Park in Hull, raising money for NABD and Caudwell Children (Simular to Whizz Kidz but covers more disabilities). With the Help From Fat Maggot Clothing, Wozwolf Rally Club, The Enema Bandits and the following bands:

Exhibit A - http://www.exhibit-a-rock.co.uk/

Scissor Kick - https://www.facebook.com/scissorkick.rock

Under Dogs -

Squealers - https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-New-Squealer/109912162383487

All Year Round -

Violent Deception - http://www.myspace.com/violentdeception

Again all of whom donated their time and helped raise a further £1400. Making the total raised to date, 19 January 2012, by To Hull and Back, including a few donations, to a whooping £8528.20!

Why not come along to this years, Dirty Gerty's 2012 Limp it Games Rally, on the weekend of the 19 to 21 October 2012. Tickets £10. Go to the rally page on this site for more information and to purchase tickets online, or facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/events/356483981044606/

It would not be a rally without you! :0) xx

Update 13 December 2011. Please could I ask you all to vote for me to win my dream of gaining sponsorship to do a charity Trike run, on Gerty and with Jess, from coast to coast Canada. Click the link and then click on the stars to place your vote. Thank you so much :0) xx

http://www.bennettsbikerdreams.co.uk/dream/view/1318/0