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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Bikers in Wootton Bassett tribute | Bikers in Wootton Bassett tribute |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Thousands of bikers have riden through Wootton Bassett to honour the people of the Wiltshire town and the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. | |
| Each rider has paid £5 to take part, with the proceeds going to the charity Afghan Heroes. | Each rider has paid £5 to take part, with the proceeds going to the charity Afghan Heroes. |
| An estimated 15,000 bikers and pillion passengers congregated at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire. | |
| The first batch of 500 riders left at 1100 GMT to ride to Wootton Basset via the M4 motorway. | The first batch of 500 riders left at 1100 GMT to ride to Wootton Basset via the M4 motorway. |
| The event lasted until early evening, with bikers leaving the airfield at 30-minute intervals to make their way to Wootton Bassett. | |
| About 10,000 riders registered to take part. They were accompanied by some 5,000 pillion passengers. | About 10,000 riders registered to take part. They were accompanied by some 5,000 pillion passengers. |
| 'Noise and movement' | 'Noise and movement' |
| Crowds gathered along Wootton Bassett's High Street to watch the bikers pass the war memorial. | Crowds gathered along Wootton Bassett's High Street to watch the bikers pass the war memorial. |
| The town's mayor Steve Bucknell said the "vast majority" of the people in the town "fully support" what the bikers are doing. | The town's mayor Steve Bucknell said the "vast majority" of the people in the town "fully support" what the bikers are doing. |
| I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off Event organier Elizabeth Stevens In pictures: Bikers' tribute | I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off Event organier Elizabeth Stevens In pictures: Bikers' tribute |
| "Too many times the town has had to stand still in silence but today is all about noise and movement." | "Too many times the town has had to stand still in silence but today is all about noise and movement." |
| Local MP James Gray added that people in the town appreciated the gesture and were "very supportive of it indeed". | Local MP James Gray added that people in the town appreciated the gesture and were "very supportive of it indeed". |
| Sue Sullivan, from Gloucestershire, is one of those taking part. | 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. | 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." | "I'm one of thousands of people who support our girls and boys." |
| 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 | Harley Davidson |
| She told the BBC: "It boosts morale for them. | 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." | "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 is riding pillion on her partner's Harley Davidson Sportster. | Ms Stevens is riding pillion on her partner's Harley Davidson Sportster. |
| Laurence Phillips from Afghan Heroes said the event had gathered pace after being posted on the social networking site Facebook. | Laurence Phillips from Afghan Heroes said the event had gathered pace after being posted on the social networking site Facebook. |
| "It's quite a staggering spectacle and an unbelievable show of support for the troops in Afghanistan and a mark of respect for the town of Wootton Bassett." | "It's quite a staggering spectacle and an unbelievable show of support for the troops in Afghanistan and a mark of respect for the town of Wootton Bassett." |
| Ch Insp Owen Gillard of Wiltshire Police said the force was working with the Ministry of Defence and Wiltshire Council to ensure public safety, with police escorting the bikers and a helicopter at the scene. | Ch Insp Owen Gillard of Wiltshire Police said the force was working with the Ministry of Defence and Wiltshire Council to ensure public safety, with police escorting the bikers and a helicopter at the scene. |