Skilled Ayrshire riders raise £2015 for armed forces charity
Nearly 60 skilled riders gathered on farmland in New Cumnock at the Ayrshire Trials Club’s annual Remembrance Sunday trials. The event, which featured homemade food and drink and a raffle, raised £2,015 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
With trial riders and event spectators arriving from 9.30 am on Remembrance Sunday, the trials began after the crowd observed The Two-Minute Silence at 11 am. Fifty-seven competitors worked to complete three laps of 12 sections, and a ‘fast race’ took place over a short course. The rider who completed the fast race in the quickest time without stopping won a new back tyre.
To keep people warm and put hunger at bay, home baking, homemade soup and drinks were available for purchase, and a series of donated prizes could be won through the Ayrshire Trials Club raffle. With all proceeds going to SSAFA, the event raised a total of £2,015.
Sara Watson, Secretary at the Ayrshire Trials Club, said: “Our Remembrance Sunday fundraiser has become one of our favourite events of the year. Many of us have close military links, so we feel it important to use a club event to raise funds for a cause that helps veterans who have served our country. We are so happy to share that this year’s event raised a whopping £2,015 for SSAFA!”
Scott Cunningham, Challenge and Community Events Officer in Scotland at SSAFA, added: “We’re very grateful that the Ayrshire Trials Club has chosen to support SSAFA for the last two years through this brilliant event. The club’s donation will help us provide wellbeing and welfare support, tailored to individual needs, to serving personnel, veterans and their families in Scotland.”
The Ayrshire Trials Club was founded by Barry Watson in August 2020. Without a base of its own, the club has built relationships with several farmers in the New Cumnock area who allow the club to run its events on their land. SSAFA has been working for the whole UK Armed Forces community since 1885. Its mission is simple: to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone. Visit ssafa.org.uk/scotland to access support.
To learn more about the Ayrshire Trials Club, follow along on Facebook at facebook.com/ayrshiretrialsclub and on Instagram @ayrshire_trials_club.
[Insights and Summary:] The Ayrshire Trials Club’s annual Remembrance Sunday trials not only provided an exciting day for nearly 60 skilled riders but also managed to raise an impressive £2015 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. The event, which included various competitions and activities, showcased the club’s commitment to supporting veterans and their families. It is heartening to see local communities come together in such a meaningful way to give back and honour those who have served their country.