Seventy years ago tens of thousands of soldiers laid down their lives for their country at D-Day. Now Bike Tours for the Wounded is travelling around Normandy visiting the Second World War memorials in their honour.
On the tour are three retired US soldiers riding Victory bikes and 30 other riders; most of who are ex-service personnel, some of whom have life-changing injuries from combat. You can follow their Ride of Respect by visiting the Victory Motorcycles UK Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/VictoryMotorcyclesUK
Victory Motorcycles is proudly supporting Bike Tours for the Wounded to raise awareness and funds. The UK-based not-for-profit organisation provides motorcycle-based life-enrichment experiences in Europe and US, such as tours of Normandy’s battlefield sites and even Route 66, for British Armed Forces personnel coping with life changing wounds, injuries or sickness.
The relationship has between Victory Motorcycles and Bike Tours for the Wounded has been established for 18 months and began with the provision of a luxury Victory Vision touring motorcycle. It is being used to promote the organisation at biking events in the UK and features air-brush art depicting some of history’s most moving battlefield scenes.
The customised Vision is to be raffled off, tickets costing £5 each and generating £20,000 for the charity. The draw will be made during the Bike Tours for the Wounded D-Day 70th Anniversary Tour, which ends on 8 June.
Victory riders in the UK also raised £3300 at a recent VRA fundraising auction and dinner.
If you would like to do more than making a simple donation, get involved: Darren is actively seeking Host Riders with experience of carrying a pillion, good sense of humour and the ability to understand the emotional challenges faced by those taking part.
Speaking after the VRA Cheque presentation, Bike Tours for the Wounded Founder Darren Clover commented: “Without the help and support of partners like Victory and generous public donations none of this would be possible”.