Thousands visit National Memorial Arboretum for 2019 Ride to the Wall

Thousands of bikers have visited the National Memorial Arboretum as part of the annual Ride to the Wall event.

Riders from across the UK headed Alrewas on Saturday (5th October) as part of attempts to remember the nation’s fallen.

More than 7,000 motorcyclists made the pilgrimage to the arboretum for the latest ride, with the event raising almost £1million in the past 12 years.

Martin Dickinson, founder of Ride to the Wall, said: “Each year we gather at to remember those who can no longer ride by our side.

“We ride to make sure that the names on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial will never be forgotten.

“Since the first Ride to the Wall in 2008 we have raised almost £1million to support the National Memorial Arboretum and to ensure it remains a place where people can come and pay tribute to the fallen.”

As the riders approached the venue they were greeted by David ‘Blu’ Andrew, a veteran of Northern Ireland, who continued his tradition of standing to attention for five hours to salute every rider as they pass.

The bikers then took part in a Service of Remembrance before a wreath was laid by Andrew Cooper who was injured by an IED in Afghanistan, causing him to lost both legs, his right eye and two fingers on one hand.

Philippa Rawlinson, Managing Director of the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “This is my first ever Ride to the Wall and the sight of thousands of riders streaming in to pay their respects is simply incredible.

“Our events programme offers a wide variety of ways for people to engage with the concept of Remembrance and this event provides a fantastic example of people coming together from across the UK and further afield to pay their respects in their own way.

“The Arboretum is the nation’s year-round centre of Remembrance and we are immensely grateful for the ongoing generosity of the Ride to the Wall family who have raised almost £1 million for the Arboretum to date, ensuring that we can remain a place for people to reflect and be inspired as they commemorate lives lost in service.”