Three motorcycle enthusiasts have raised £3,000 for the Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary after an epic ride around the UK coast.
The riders – Denzil Addison, Andrew Monkhouse and Allan Walker – set out on a mission on Honda 50 cub machines – a journey of more than 4,000 miles on bikes that can do a maximum speed of 37 mph.
Not only did the three riders fund the entire trip themselves, they decided to donate all sponsorship to North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Blood Bikes Cumbria.
Blood Bikes Cumbria then donated their half to the trust.
Each cause was chosen for a reason: Denzil, known as Dee, has been a blood bike rider and fundraiser for Blood Bikes Cumbria for more than six years.
The Cumberland Infirmary is where Andrew, also known as Monkey, was hospitalised for 10 days in January with COVID-19.
He wanted to show his thanks for the lifesaving care he received and has asked that the funds go towards supporting staff.
Michael Smillie, director of finance, digital and estates at NCIC, said: “We are extremely grateful to the bikers for their generous donation.
“It sounds like they had a lot of fun on their mammoth journey and we are pleased to hear that Andrew recovered well after contracting COVID earlier this year.”
The journey was split into three legs:
- Leg one – from Carlisle and traveling clockwise around mainland and some of the islands of Scotland ending at Holy Island Northumberland.
- Leg two – Holy Island to Lands’ End traveling down the eastern side of England and then along the south coat.
- Leg three – from Lands’ End traveling up the western coastline of England and Wales returning to Carlisle.
They said: “Part of our mission was three motorcycle daft mates having a laugh and ripping the mickey out of each other continually.”
