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Bikers in Wootton Bassett tribute | Bikers in Wootton Bassett tribute |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Motorcyclists are riding to Wootton Bassett to honour the people of the Wiltshire town - and the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. | |
Each of the 10,000 bikers is paying £5 to take part, with the proceeds going to the charity Afghan Heroes. | |
The bikers congregated at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire earlier. | The bikers congregated at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire earlier. |
The first batch of 500 riders left the airfield at 1100 GMT to ride to Wootton Basset via the M4 motorway. The event will last all day. | The first batch of 500 riders left the airfield at 1100 GMT to ride to Wootton Basset via the M4 motorway. The event will last all day. |
About 10,000 bikers registered to take part, but the number at the scene is thought to be higher. | About 10,000 bikers registered to take part, but the number at the scene is thought to be higher. |
Riders are leaving in batches of 500 at 30-minute intervals. | |
I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off Event organier Elizabeth Stevens | |
Sue Sullivan, from Gloucestershire, is one of those taking part. | |
She said: "We rode at 1130 GMT and I've never seen so many bikes. | |
"I'm one of thousands of people who support our girls and boys." | |
Local MP James Gray said people in the town appreciated the gesture and were "very supportive of it indeed". | Local MP James Gray said people in the town appreciated the gesture and were "very supportive of it indeed". |
The Conservative member for Wiltshire North said: "Initially when I heard about this I was worried about it because I thought, 'Well, it's going to be an enormous amount of noise'. | |
"But what people said to me was, 'Well, look, this is going to raise something like £75,000 altogether for this brilliant charity, Afghan Heroes.'" | "But what people said to me was, 'Well, look, this is going to raise something like £75,000 altogether for this brilliant charity, Afghan Heroes.'" |
Denise Harris, the founder of Afghan Heroes, said troops on the front line had sent her e-mails backing the event. | Denise Harris, the founder of Afghan Heroes, said troops on the front line had sent her e-mails backing the event. |
Harley Davidson | |
She told the BBC: "It boosts morale for them. | |
"I mean they just are so grateful to the general public for their support, and their kindness." | |
The Bike Run was the idea of 18-year-old biker Elizabeth Stevens. | The Bike Run was the idea of 18-year-old biker Elizabeth Stevens. |
The ride was organised by Elizabeth Stevens, 18, pictured with her partner | The ride was organised by Elizabeth Stevens, 18, pictured with her partner |
Ms Stevens, a mechanics student at the Central Bedfordshire College, had only planned to ride through the town with a few friends. | Ms Stevens, a mechanics student at the Central Bedfordshire College, had only planned to ride through the town with a few friends. |
"Our local bike club was throwing around the idea of a bike run," she said in January, "so I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off". | "Our local bike club was throwing around the idea of a bike run," she said in January, "so I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off". |
Ms Stevens, who is riding pillion on her partner's 1200 Harley Davidson Sportster, is one of the riders leading the run. | Ms Stevens, who is riding pillion on her partner's 1200 Harley Davidson Sportster, is one of the riders leading the run. |
Ch Insp Owen Gillard of Wiltshire Police said the force was working with the Ministry of Defence and Wiltshire Council to ensure public safety. | |
The last riders are expected to arrive at Wootton Bassett at about 1800 GMT. | The last riders are expected to arrive at Wootton Bassett at about 1800 GMT. |
The Highways Agency said motorists would encounter increased traffic throughout the day, especially around junctions 16 and 17 of the M4. | |
A police spokesman said there might be traffic delays throughout the day. | A police spokesman said there might be traffic delays throughout the day. |