On the 10th of April, when the country was right in the middle of the strictest Covid 19 Lockdown and things were looking pretty bleak out there, it seems that a lot of people were thinking constructively about how to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! So here's what happened with a group of motorcyclists in Swindon and Waterlooville, where something which started off as a friendly chat on facebook, ended up raising – £11,000 and still counting –  10,000 for the NHS and £1000 for Blood Bikes!

Normally in the Spring and Summer there are many weekend motorcycle rallies around the country where folks can have a great ride out and meet up with like-minded motorcycling friends. Not so this year, as we all know up until now, normal life has been put on hold for the time being - although outdoor things are opening up again slowly now.

So on the Easter weekend in April Rob Bones Kinch decided that as he couldn't currently go to any motorcycle rallies, he wouldn't let that beat him and he would have one, on his own, at the end of his garden! He planned to ride his motorcycle down to the bottom of his garden (a 5 minute ride out!) and have a few tinnies, light a fire and camp in his tent - in other words have a one man rally! When he announced this plan to his friends, Panky, Andy and AZZ on facebook, naturally banter ensued, and one of them said 'Hey there mate will there be a rally patch'. So Andy designed a patch for a laugh and sent it over. After some discussion a Patch was born and so was the idea! The friends decided that they would sell the Patch to motorcyclists and donate 100% of the profits to the NHS Covid 19 Appeal.

Well the patch has been a huge success and they have raised a lot of money so far towards their target of £15,000. From now the profits are going to be donated to the National Association of Blood Bikes, who do amazing work for the NHS all year round, and a new patch design is in the pipeline specifically for them.

It just shows what a generous hearted lot most motorcyclists really are, always willing to lend a hand where they can.

So if you are interested in getting one of these Charity Patches head over to the End Of The Garden Rally facebook page for further information.