Thousands of MotoGP fans braved the English weather to support Riders for Health’s annual fundraising event, Day of Champions, on Thursday raising an incredible £254,989 for the organisations’ lifesaving work. The whole MotoGP paddock came together at Silverstone to support their official charity ahead of the British MotoGP.
Making this year’s event even more special, Riders for Health launched a new appeal which meant that everything raised on the day was matched, pound for pound, by the UK Government. The appeal will run until September 14th doubling any donation made by a UK citizen.
You can text ‘RFH’ to 70303 to donate £3 which will be doubled to £6, or visit www.riders.org to make a donation with double the impact. For terms and conditions visit Riders for Health’s website.
The gates to the exclusive MotoGP paddock and pit-lane complex were opened to lucky ticket holders who were able to see how MotoGP teams prepare for a weekend of racing. And several popular riders stopped to have photographs taken with fans and sign autographs.
Andrea Coleman, CEO of Riders for Health said: ‘We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to Day of Champions, and made it such an amazing day. I also want to thank all the teams and riders, and everyone at MotoGP and Silverstone for making Day of Champions possible. The money we raised will make a huge difference to people’s lives in Africa. Together we are showing that motorcycles can save lives.’
As always, the highlight of the day was the famous Day of Champions MotoGP auction which raised £65,500 in just four hours. And thanks to Riders’ new appeal, this figure was doubled by the UK Government to a phenomenal £130,100.
Fans were able to see their favourite MotoGP riders as they took to the stage and gave their thoughts about Sunday’s race before auctioning signed personal racing memorabilia. MotoGP teams also offered once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including the chance to step onto the MotoGP grid before the start of Sunday’s race.
The stars of MotoGP got behind Riders for Health’s new appeal with Brit Cal Crutchlow helping to launch it on the main stage. Several top riders also recorded a special video encouraging the public to donate, which can be viewed at http://riders.org/UK_aid_match.aspx.
There was action away from the stage too. At midday the crowds were treated to a spectacular sight when 150 motorcyclists and their pillions arrived at the circuit on the traditional Day of Champions ride-in. The convoy, led by three-times British Superbike Champion Niall Mackenzie and British Moto2 star Bradley Smith, then completed two laps of the famous Silverstone circuit.
