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Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
A fundraiser in Gloucester has been commended for raising more than £100,000 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
Stephanie Shaw, the co-founder of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's famous annual 'Bikers’ Nite' launched the event in 2002 by holding a Rock Night at a pub on the Gloucester Road in Cheltenham. Her idea was to reunite friends from the biker scene and raise funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at the same time. The event was a huge success and one which prompted her to organise more Rock Nights in the years to come to raise cash that could help fund the charity's vital, lifesaving work – much of which includes attending collisions that involve bikers who are amongst some of the most vulnerable road users.
In the summer of 2004, Stephanie launched weekly motorcycle gatherings at a different pub every Wednesday evening in and around the Cotswolds between late Spring through to early Autumn, which became known as the 'Pub List'. A raffle was held at each event with all proceeds going to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
The meets, which continue to this day, attract people from miles around and are often attended by thousands of motorcycling enthusiasts. Commenting, Stephanie said: "They are a great bunch who are keen to raise as much as they can for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which we know would support the biking community, should we ever need them."
Stephanie, who has twice been named as Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's Fundraiser of the Year – first in 2016 and at the charity's Recognition Award and Ball in June, added: "While I may have co-founded the Bikers Nite event, it takes an army of people to make it the success it has become over the past 20 years. Without their help, plus the continued support of the bikers and riders that attend our events, we wouldn't have raised such an incredible amount for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity."
Nicole Beebee, Gloucestershire fundraising executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, concluded: "Every charity needs a 'Stephanie' to champion their cause. Her support of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable and the money she has helped raise has undoubtedly saved countless lives."
Find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s vital, lifesaving work in Gloucestershire and follow the organisation on social media.