PRAYER FOR A SOLDIER

If ever there was a time for a prayer to be heard.
And now is the time, to hear every word.
Now that our boys called soldiers have gone,
Please march with them and keep them strong.
Stand beside them if they have to fight,
And in the darkness be their light.
Don’t desert them, march in their faith,
So they’ll be here when the morning breaks.

Bring them home safe and sound,
Across the waters to peaceful ground.
Home to loved ones, mother’s wives, daughters, sons,
Bless them all, each and every one.

They stand for freedom and make our flag true,
These boys called soldiers for the red, white and blue.
A prayer for a soldier, please let it be heard,
And please Lord, hear every word.

A prayer for a soldier, with the job to be done,
Please bring them home, these soldiers your sons.
Please bring them home, the soldiers, your sons.

AMEN. FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FALLEN PAST and PRESENT Let them all come home safe. AMEN.

NOT DISABLED ------- JUST DIFFERENTLY ABLE

Copied from the NABD home page . The A 59ers are NABD affiliated and support the disabled biker's charity as much as we possibly can.

The NABD - an Introduction

So what's NABD all about then?

The NABD was set up in April 1991 by six bikers from Stockport and Manchester who would not accept the idea that disabled people could not ride motorcycles, scooters, or trikes.
The initial project was to find a way to adapt a motorcycle for a rider who had suffered the amputation of his lower left leg in an accident. A fund raising party was organised and publicised locally and this prompted several other disabled people to contact the group asking whether it was possible for them also to ride motorcycles. Within 12 months the NABD had just over 100 members and had helped three disabled people to adapt motorcycles and ride independently. Each adaption had to be designed from scratch, the money raised and the engineering problems solved, but from this small beginning the NABD was later to become the world leader in the field of motorcycling for people with disabilities.
The membership of the NABD has now grown to a staggering 5,000+ individual members with the support of over 200 affiliated clubs and businesses. Over the past 15 years the NABD has directly helped over seven thousand disabled people to enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling.
The NABD has been instrumental in similar groups setting up in Norway, Sweden, France and Japan.
Unlike many registered charities the NABD does not spend donated money on wages and plush office accommodation. (We now have one paid employee, an office administrator, this post was initially financed by a grant from the national lottery 'community fund' now it is wholly financed from the proceeds of our national rally). All of the other people working for the NABD are volunteers.
Also unlike most charities, all donations from individuals, clubs or companies are used 100% for the benefit of, and services for, disabled riders (the administration costs of the association are met from other sources).
The NABD is regularly consulted on issues relating to disabled motorcycling by the DVLA, DfT, VOSA, DSA, and MAVIS.

By the way, we sometimes get people say "I can't join, as I'm not disabled"
nothing could be further from the truth - we welcome the support of anyone interested in biking.

Financial Grants:
The NABD operates a system of financial grants to help with the cost of special adaption work to bikes, scooters, combo's and trikes, necessary to suit the needs of disabled riders.
These grants range from £100.00 to £1,400.00 dependant on the type of machine and the particular requirements of the rider.
Financial grants for the current fiscal year are expected to be well in excess of £60,000.00.

Adaptions:
The range of adaptions is as broad as the imagination (and technology) will allow including;

Thumb operated brake systems, to allow rear brakes to be operated by hand for people with leg amputations/disabilities. Also used extensively in 'one handed' controls for riders with an arm amputation, Brachial Plexus injury or any other disability which limits the use of one hand.
Twin lever hydraulic units for bikes and trikes.
Hydraulic to cable conversion kits.
'Easy clutch' kits for riders with reduced strength or mobility in their hands.
Electrically operated (Kliktronic) 'push button' gear-changers, for riders with leg amputation/disability.
Specialised sidecar units and 'full hand control' adaptions, for wheelchair users.
Specially built 'full hand control' trikes for wheelchair users and riders with 'balance related' disabilities.
Remotely operated side-stand adaptions, seating/back support adaptions, modified pillion seat adaptions and many more.

Assessments and Training:
The NABD are frequently consulted by the DVLA on matters relating to disabled riders and we are often asked to carry out assessments for disabled people who wish to regain their motorcycle entitlement.
We also have a number of 'learner legal' motorcycles and scooters which are already adapted to suit various disabilities, these machines are loaned to disabled riders free of charge for the purposes of training and tests. These are in constant use and many disabled people benefit from them each year.

Advice and Support:
The NABD offer advice on insurance, licensing, legal and any other matters relating to the disability of a rider, and when necessary we will make representations on their behalf.
Information & advice stands attend many, motorcycle and/or disability shows and related events throughout the year.
We also offer advice to the organisers of events as to facilities for disabled riders.

Social/fundraising Events:
The social side of the NABD has gained an excellent reputation over the years. We hold small fundraising parties around Britain throughout the year. We also run two 'full blown' rallies annually.
Our major national event is the 'You've Been Nabbed' Rally in Cheshire (May), the next is our 16th. Past attendance has reached a staggering 3,000+ and it has gained the reputation of being one of the best events on the rally calendar. In addition to the range of live music in three marquees, bike/trike show, and disco's we have, a comedy club (courtesy of Manchester's famous 'Frog & Bucket' Comedy Club), a real ale marquee, street entertainers, children's rides, and loads of trade stands and nice cheap beer on 3 bars.
We have also recently had our 6th Autumn Nabd'ness event at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire (September) and this is becoming a firm favourite with many bikers.

Membership/Affiliation:
The NABD welcomes all motorcyclists, scooterists, and trike riders, you do not have to be disabled to join and support our efforts.
Individual membership is £20.00 (renewable at £15.00 per year). Family membership is £30.00.
Clubs and groups can affiliate for £25.00 per year.
Businesses can also affiliate (details on request).

Updates:
We produce a quarterly magazine 'Open House' which is printed in full colour (with final repro courtesy of News International and the Sunday Times), which features articles on recent adaptions, matters of interest, loads of useful contacts, and details of future plans and events.

Patrons:
Over the years we have gained the support of an impressive list of patrons. Billy Connolly (comedian and trike rider), Neil Hodgeson (World Superbike Champion), David Holding (Para-olympic Gold Medallist), Mark O'Shea (World renowned Herpetologist, TV Presenter, Author, and Biker), Mik Scarlet (TV Presenter & DJ), Suzi Perry (Superbike and Supermoto Presenter or the BBC), and Gary Havelock (Former World Champion Speedway Rider), Sammy Millar (Motorcycling Legend and owner of the Motorcycle Museum).

The NABD has become established as the world leader in its field often advising the DVLA, DSA, DfT, VOSA and even the European Parliament. We believe that when it comes to motorcycling 'a disability need not be a handicap'.
The NABD are here to stay and with the continued support of all motorcyclists and motorcycling groups we can achieve even greater things.

If you would like to know more about the NABD write (please enclose a S.A.E.) to;
Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TE.
Tel: 0844 415 4849

The Future

Over the years the NABD has helped thousands of people with disabilities to enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling. With the continued support of the biking community, the NABD will remain the world leader in this field.

It is our belief that 'when it comes to motorcycling, a disability should not be a handicap'.

The NABD is a Registered Charity, No. 1040907

Charity Commission website

HOME

ODE TO COMRADES

MAY THE SUN RISE IN FRONT OF ME

MAY THE RAIN FALL BEHIND ME

AND THE WIND FOLLOW ME

MAY THE ANGELS OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE ME

GUARD MY TRAVELS

FOR THEY KNOW THE PERILS

OF THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME

KEEP ME SAFE THROUGH THE ROUGH CITY STREETS

ON MY WAY TO THE LAND OF SWIRLING TURNS

AND ROLLING HILLS

LET THE COLOURS OF FALL KEEP ME WARM

LET THE EAGLE GUIDE ME TO THE MOUNTAINTOPS

LET THE MOONS LIGHT GUIDE ME

THROUGH THE NIGHT

MAY MY TYRES NOT FAIL ME

NOR MY ENGINE GROW OLD

MAY MY BIKE DRAW LIFE

FROM THE STREAMS I PASS

KEEP MY SEAT SOFT AND MY MIND SHARP

LET THE AIR OF SPRING BREATHE LIFE

INTO MY SOUL

TO JOURNEY TO ANOTHER ADVENTURE

BESIDES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

The Royal Britsh Legion Riders Poppy Appeal is one of our chosen charities for all service men and women who have fought for their country in times of war, we support them in their daily lives still fighting to live normally, some have paid the most terrible price for OUR freedom, give as much as you possibly can when you see the tin come round. Every penny helps someone somewhere to have a better time back in civvies. SO DO YOUR BIT AND GIVE A SHIT .

A Brief History of The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (Jan 2009)

In July 2004 a meeting took place at The Royal British Legion Village to discuss the possibility of an ex-services motorcycle club becoming an official branch of the RBL to promote its good causes within the motorcycle fraternity.

Circumstances took over and this idea was discarded but not forgotten. In late August, Paul Pollard and Graham Barber decided to resurrect the idea and approached some of those who were at the first meeting to forward the idea.

The Legion was contacted again with a clear way ahead and an informal meeting was set up in November at RBL Cheltenham where the 14 original members met to discuss how to proceed and to form a committee, 12 volunteered for the first Riders Committee. It was at this meeting that we formally decided on our name and an adapted set of Branch Byelaws. At the end of this informal meeting, the official inaugural meeting took place and “The Riders” were officially formed.

The Riders Branch is open to anyone who has an interest in motorcycles and we welcome all new members who wish to support the Legion's work our way. The Branch now stands at over 2000 and is growing all the time.

Our aims are the same today as it was then, “to raise awareness of the RBL and how it can help those serving/ex-serving who are in need of help, to raise money for the Poppy Appeal and to have fun,” and as we have since discovered these last two ideals are mutually compatible.

There are quite a few regional Riders branch' s each with their own Regional Rep , the North West is one of the fastest growing branch's and covers a large area. The We've Not Forgot rally was held for the first time in 2009 at Chorley Rugby club, this is hoped to become an annual event, The A 59ers sponsors the rally and donates a cut glass crystal tankard for the Longest Rider, won in 2009 by a rider from Germany.

There are a few off shoots from the official Poppy Appeal all designed to raise awareness and funds for the soldiers and servicemen and women, the Help for Heroes is one that has attracted a lot of support, you will see different things for different good and worthy causes, always remember that the money you kindly donate is for these individuals who fought and died for our country, and give what you can.

Every Regional Rep is responsible for their own area and it might well be that that one area does something off their own back to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal but all the money goes into one pot and it is then dished out to the various needy people and / or cause so please remember this when you are out and about.

The poppy appeal is reknowed for the vast amounts it does for the ex service men and women and those who are injured in battle, if you are keen to help then please consider becoming a member of either the Rider's Branch or the Royal British Legion.

Thank you most kindly .

DO YOUR BIT AND GIVE A SHIT .........................

SERVICE ...NOT SELF ....

Take a look at the RBL rider's video's and see the good work they do.