Motorbiking duo gear up for final 2,500 mile fundraiser

Two daring septuagenarians have revved up their motorbikes for a final 2,500 mile charity ride for Royston Salvation Army. 

Hitting the brakes after 15 years of fundraising, Bob Woodcock, 72, and Melvyn Thomas, 73, with their trusty mascots monkey Boris and teddy Bramwell, will make their last fundraising journey from Royston, near Barnsley, to Land’s End in Cornwall, the southwestern most point of England. They will then turn around and head back up to John O’Groats, the northernmost point of the UK, before heading home to South Yorkshire. 

The great-grandfathers set off to a crowd of cheers from the church and charity in Midland Road on Tuesday morning for the 11-day trip, which will raise money for Royston Salvation Army to support their work, particularly with children and struggling families. 

Bob said: “This is our Grande Finale! I’m feeling emotional knowing it will be the last time after first doing this trip for charity 15 years ago. 

“There’s been a lot of enjoyment over the years especially the positivity of the people we’ve met along the way. They’ve welcomed us into their homes, cooked for us, given us discounts, and many have become friends. We have Salvation Army flags on the bikes so strangers beep in support, chat to us about what we’re doing and put money in the collection tin.

“The Salvation Army do so much good, no matter who you are if you need help, they are there for you.  I’m a forces child and moved around a lot with my father. Something I always remember is The Salvation Army being there.” 

Bob and Melvyn will make 11 stops along the way - Bristol, St Angus, Crediton, Penkridge, Gretna Green, Dumbarton, Inverness, Dunnet, Perth, Alnwick, and Mablethorpe, all using maps and no sat navs. 

Their journey through Scotland will also be filmed by Bob’s grandson Matthew, 22, who is making a documentary. 

For Melvyn one of the highlights will be visiting the Devil’s Porridge Museum in Gretna, which is housed in what was once a nine-mile-long munitions factory during World War One. 

Melvyn said: “The history of war really interests me, especially the stories of people who were on the front line and that includes The Salvation Army who were always there for the soldiers. You could always get a cuppa from The Salvation Army. 

“I’m also a former miner and The Salvation Army would always turn up at pit disasters with sandwiches, a cuppa, and a shoulder to cry on.” 

Bob will be riding his Triumph 900 1996 model, on which he has clocked up more than 100,000 miles over 20 years, while Melvyn will be riding a Royal Enfield 350. 

And although this is the last time they plan to do this particular trip – Melvyn has something else in mind.

“I’ve always wanted to do East to West. There's always room to make more new memories, so I'm sure we'll be making more this year and in years to come,” he added. 

The money raised will go towards supporting the work The Salvation Army does in Royston, including providing lunches to children during the school holidays as well as food for families that are struggling. 

Brian, who is part of the volunteer team at Royston Salvation Army, said: “We’re really grateful to Bob and Melvyn for what they’ve done each year. The money they raise goes directly back into the community, helping us provide lunches to children and presents as part of our Christmas Present Appeal, as well as things like furniture or electricity. 

“Recently we were able to support a young mum whose baby had a food intolerance and needed baby milk that was very out of reach for her financially. We try to help anyone who needs it.” 

Captain Terry Hendy, who was the leader of Royston Salvation Army when Bob first did his trip all those years ago and continues to see them off every year, said: “The generosity and community spirit Bob and Melvyn have got, and the people that support them, means Royston never has to turn people away. We pray they have a good trip and enjoy it.” 

The duo will also be dropping off medical supplies to friends in Cornwall who will take them onto Ukraine and will raffle off items for a seal sanctuary at a camping site they stay at during the trip. 

You can sponsor them here

For more information on Royston Salvation Army visit their website here or search for them on Facebook.