Charity motorcycle ride across North York Moors and Yorkshire coast raises thousands for Myeloma UK

This is the third annual ride the members have taken on in aid of Myeloma UK, the only UK charity dedicated to providing support to people diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer that affects over 35,000 people in the UK. Over the three years they have managed to raise a total of £12,700 for the charity.

The group have chosen to support the charity due to a close connection to one of the member’s wives, Jenny Attridge, who was diagnosed with myeloma in December 2022 at the age of 50.

Since then, Jenny has received treatment and a stem cell transplant and is now on maintenance treatment which enables her to live her life.

Jenny said “Thank you so much to the North Yorkshire TRF for choosing to support Myeloma UK for the third year, it means so much to me and will help Myeloma UK to keep on supporting people like myself as well as funding research into a cure and treatments available. I am so grateful for both NYTRF and Myeloma UK’s support.”

NYTRF are a regional arm of the national body The Trail Riders Fellowship, a motorcycle group who enjoy riding the legally accessible Green Road network of England and Wales.

They are an active group who work closely with Local Authorities, including North Yorkshire Council, the National Parks, and many Parish Councils. They play a part in maintaining the network for the benefit of all users.

Working under the authority of North Yorkshire Council’s volunteer ‘Pathkeeper’s scheme’ members undertake both routine and emergency maintenance, such as cutting back encroaching vegetation, clearing drainage channels, or removing fallen trees and branches blocking the lanes.

They also help to fund larger repairs carried out by the Council’s contractors, usually buying stone for specific projects. Recent examples include £4,700 towards repairs at Coleson Banks in the North York Moors.

Most recently, they not only funded, but laid, 20 tonnes of stone on a road known as Keepers Cottage, in the area of Troutsdale, near Scarborough.

Approximately 20 NYTRF volunteers spent 133 hours of labour laying stone in ruts and soft areas of the road, which enabled the Council to lift the Traffic Regulation Order that had temporarily closed the road for several months.

Matt Wynes, Director of Fundraising at blood cancer charity Myeloma UK, said: “We can’t thank NYTRF enough for their incredible support and for going above and beyond for the myeloma community.

“We receive no government funding for the work that we do, so voluntary donations, fundraising and gifts in wills are the lifeblood of Myeloma UK.

“It’s thanks to supporters like NYTRF that we can continue to fund vital research into new treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as essential support services for patients, their families, and those affected by myeloma.”

The event, held on July 25 and 26, was supported by local businesses, such as Radfords Butchers, Mr Chips and The Goathland Community Hub, who freely give their time, facilities and catering expertise.

Donations to Myeloma UK may be easily made on-line at: https://donate.myeloma.org.uk.