1:00pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Gareth Palmer
AN ex-soldier from Colchester has spoken of the emotion of a mass motorbike ride in memory of troops killed in Afghanistan.
Andy McGowan was one of 15,000 bikers to join a ride on Sunday through Wootton Bassett, the Wiltshire town where soldiers killed in action are repatriated.
The event, which also honoured the people of Wootton Bassett, raised about £100,000 for military charity Afghan Heroes.
Andy, of Havering Close, said: “It’s hard to put into words. It was an awesome event and very emotional.
“It was a 15-mile ride, from an airfield to Wootton Bassett, and there were people out along the route. People had parked up in the middle of nowhere to cheer us, and houses and pubs had flags out.
“Wootton Bassett was packed full of people and it was absolutely amazing to see the support.
“There were families and friends riding with pictures of fallen soldiers. It really made you realise what the day was about.”
Andy had been going on the ride with his ex-Royal Military Police colleague Pete Laing, but after an appeal in the Gazette for other riders, ended up setting out in a party of 18.
“It was great to have such a strong representation from Colchester as a garrison town, and I’m sure others went down separately,” he said.
“We had serving soldiers and veterans, guys in their twenties and pensioners, all there for the same reason.
“As well as a moving event, we had a really good weekend away as well.”
Andy, 45, is a member of the Royal British Legion Riders’ Branch and has attended four repatriations in Wootton Bassett. He said: “People really do come out to show their support and it’s a very humbling experience. It’s not like a funeral or Remembrance Day and it leaves you feeling empty afterwards, as life returns to normal.”
His next charity event is the Ride to the Wall, on October 2, and he is again inviting other Colcestrian bikers to come along.
The event sees bikers ride to the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to pay their respects.
l For more information and to register, visit www.rttw.org or e-mail andrwmagoo@aol.com
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