A nationwide plea has gone out to motorcyclists urging them to attend a charity rideout to support soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan.

The ‘Black Rat Ride’ hopes to see more than 12,000 bikers raise thousands of pounds as they ride across North Yorkshire on September 19.

It is being organised by the Black Rat Fund which supports 4th Mechanized Brigade – the Black Rats – based at Catterick Garrison, but currently on Op HERRICK in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

It raises money to support both serving soldiers and their immediate families - through direct welfare and compassionate grants to individuals or families in need or distress, as well as by supporting community projects, events and activities which aim to improve and enhance the lives of soldiers and families who are part of the Brigade.

Brigadier Richard Felton OBE, Commander of the 4th Mechanized Brigade and the Managing Trustee of The Black Rat Fund, is currently in Afghanistan commanding Task Force Helmand for the duration of the deployment.

In a personal message sent from Task Force Helmand Headquarters in Lashkar Gah to all the bikers taking part he said: “This is a fantastic idea - on behalf of all of us in Task Force Helmand, I want to say a massive thankyou to all those who have pledged to attend or are helping in other ways.

“This means so much to us - just knowing so many people are willing to support us is so important to the morale of my troops.  They are all doing such a fantastic job, with unbelievable courage and great determination and this support places value on the sacrifices they are making.  All the funds made will provide compassionate and welfare support which will improve my soldiers’ lives.  It’s tragic that so many have been injured and killed and every bit of help we can give them on our return means so much.”

Bikers from across the UK will do a circuit of 22 miles around Catterick Garrison and the surrounding area.  Organisers are hoping to attract up to 12,500 bikers making the rideout one of the largest ever to be held in the area.

Each of the riders will be asked to make a donation of £5 to enter the ride, and will give all the registered riders a Black Rat wristband, which they can wear to show their support of the Brigade.

The biking community in the UK has consistently shown incredible support for the Armed Forces.  Events such as the Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride organised by The Royal British Legion, the Mother’s Day Ride through Wootton Bassett, and the mass gathering at the Armed Forces Memorial - the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, clearly illustrate the biking community’s desire to show their solidarity with, and respect for, serving, veteran, wounded and fallen members of the Armed Forces.

The Black Rat Fund website (http://www.blackratfund.org/) is now open for riders to register for the rally. Places will be limited so early registration is encouraged. Further information can be obtained by visiting the website.

* The 4th Mechanized Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010, but will have members of the Brigade in Helmand until December 2010. Currently there are 16 different Regiments and Units that form the Brigade during the period of the deployment, including 40 Commando Royal Marines, 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and the Royal Dragoon Guards – all of whom have suffered a significant number of losses and casualties in the past 6 weeks.

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