Scooter Ride-out
Riders Rally Round For Wessex Heartbeat
Scooter enthusiasts put their best wheels forward in Dorset in a spectacular charity ride-out which raised more than £500 for Wessex Heartbeat.Vintage Vespas and lavish Lambrettas left Mudeford Quay, Christchurch in Spring sunshine on the afternoon of April 20.
The colourful convoy of more than 120 riders from across the region covered a distance of about 16 miles travelling through Christchurch, Southbourne and Boscombe before they arrived at their destination, The White Heather pub in Ferndown for a jamboree of music, live entertainment, food and a grand raffle.
The ride-out was organised by Pete Sullivan of Renegade Scooter Club, as a way of "giving something back" after he suffered a heart attack while attending the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally in August 2007.
The father-of-two was in St Mary's Hospital, Newport for three weeks before undergoing a coronary angioplasty with stenting, at the Wessex Cardiac Centre in Southampton General Hospital.
"At 46 I thought I was too young to have a heart attack. Although I have a hereditary form of high cholesterol and high blood pressure, I was fit, had a healthy diet, and was a non-smoker and very light social drinker", said the freelance sound engineer who lives in Bournemouth with his wife Angela and has two sons , Patrick (17) and Danny (20).
"Following the heart attack I was looked after so well and felt that I wanted to give something back. I was one of the lucky ones - I have my health back."
After the ride-out, Pete, who participated on a metallic blue Vespa, said he was delighted by the turn out and the fact that the event raised more than £500 through a collection and raffle.
"It was a real visual spectacle. We left the quay in convoy and rode through Christchurch. The streets were lined with people waiting for a carnival parade - so it was an added bonus for us and them!" he said.
Wessex Heartbeat's Chief Executive Officer, D'Arcy Myers said: "The work of Wessex Heartbeat is very much based in the community supporting those who have suffered from or are risk of suffering from heart disease, as well as their families.
"This scooter rally was just a fantastic way of people combining their interest and imagination to make a real difference to those affected by heart disease."
