Ride to the Wall at National Memorial Arboretum attracts 7,000 bikers

More than 7,000 motorcyclists have taken part in a charity ride to remember those who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces.

The 12th annual Ride to the Wall has taken place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Following the ride, a service was held at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial at the arboretum in Alrewas.

Its managing director said the sight of the riders coming to pay their respects was "simply incredible".

Riders arrive in convoy, after leaving one of 11 designated start locations around the country, with the flag carrying party leaving from Drayton Manor.

Riding pillion to the service was Anthony Cooper, who was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan, losing both legs, his right eye, two fingers on one hand and fingertips from the other.

Following the service, he walked up the steps of the memorial to lay a wreath on the central plinth, applauded by bikers.

He said the service "means the world".

"Every year now, I go to the main wall to see the names," he said.

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."

She added the arboretum was "immensely grateful" for the generosity of the Ride to the Wall "family".

A registered UK charity, Ride to the Wall is organised by volunteers, with funds raised by the event given to the arboretum to support its day-to-day running costs.

To date, more than £941,000 has been raised by the event and it is hoped this year's event will take it to £1m.

Martin Dickinson, event founder, said: "We ride to make sure that the names on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial will never be forgotten."

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