Newcastle dealership launches Ride Aid for RVI breast care fund

17th September 2009

New owners of the Sandyford Harley Davidson and Buell dealership have found a novel way of putting making money at the top of their priority list – with the creation of a fundraising event to raise £25,000 for the Breast Clinic Fund at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).

Business partners Paul O Callahan and David Hall, who took over the running of Newcastle’s only official Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles showroom recently, were keen to establish a way to give something back to the local community. It was Julie Horsfield, the Chapter Director of the dealership’s Harley Owners Group (HOG), who formulated the idea after a chance meeting at a ferry terminal with the Consultant who diagnosed her friend with breast cancer 12 years ago.

The RVI would like to secure funds to pay for a Scinti scanner – a machine which minimises the extent of surgery required by patients by using an advanced lymph node detection process to identify the sentinel node.

David and Paul are spearheading the Ride Aid fundraising campaign with an ambitious ride-out from Newcastle to Lands End via John O Groats on 23 to 25 October. The ride, which takes place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is being supported by seven additional riders, including two Cleveland police officers.

The two officers will ride police motorcycles on loan by Harley-Davidson UK, while Buell UK has loaned motorcycles for use by the other seven riders for the duration of the main event. Other additional support events are also being organised, including a Ladies of Harley pink-themed ride-out to Linden Hall on 4 October.

RVI Consultant Andy Griffiths says: “I am delighted that the team at Newcastle Harley-Davidson and Buell is dedicating its inspiring ride from John O Groats to Lands End to help us raise funds for our breast cancer care unit. The Scinti scanning equipment is an extremely important facility that benefits a large number of women with breast cancer, as it minimises the extent of surgery that our patients need during treatment.

“A big thank you to Newcastle Harley-Davidson and Buell, everyone who is helping to make this happen and for the generous donations that are being pledged.”

David Hall added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of support that this event has generated already and we’re encouraged by the strong community spirit that we’ve already witnessed in Tyne & Wear.

“There’s no doubt that the ride-out will be hard work and we have a huge task ahead of us to raise the much-needed £25,000 for the RVI. So while we’re grateful for the support that we have received to date, we still need to implore people to get involved by donating, buying raffle tickets or helping with fundraising in any way possible – however big or small.”

For full details of Newcastle Harley-Davidson and Buell Ride Aid, associated events and ways to support the fundraising campaign, please visit www.buellperformanceacademy.co.uk/rideaid.