UK Arai importers Phoenix are delighted to announce that at their recent auction at the 2008 International Motorcycle show, £9,700 was raised for the Riders for Health charity.

Riders For Health is the official MotoGP charity and raises funds to buy, service and repair off-road motorbikes, so that vital medicines and trained healthcare staff can reach the more remote parts of the African continent.

The auction, held on the main stage in the Arai entertainment zone at the NEC, was hosted by Randy Mamola, Steve Parrish and Barry Nutley and many unique items were offered for sale including an Arai helmet signed by the motorcycle stars of the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed, plus graphics, helmets and clothing signed by Arai stars Dani Pedrosa, Nicky Hayden, Leon Haslam, Jonathan Rea, Kevin Schwantz, Shinya Nakano, Noriyuki Haga and Colin Edwards.

To start the auction proceedings, Randy Mamola, one of the joint founders of the charity, accepted a cheque for £5,000 from Motorcycle News’ chief road tester, Michael Neeves.  The money was a donation from the sales of Michael’s replica helmet which is available in the UK Arai range. 

Commenting, John Wakefield, MD of Phoenix, said “We are proud to support Riders For Health.  This is vital work, as keeping those bikes running in Africa can make the difference between life and death for many people. MotoGP riders and road race fans have done us proud in raising funds at the UK motorcycle show 2008 and we thank them for their help.”