OFF THE WIRE
Around 10,000 bikers descended on Wiltshire to ride through the town of Wootton Bassett in appreciation of the sacrifice made by British soldiers.
They rode through the town, the scene of many moving homecomings for service personnel killed in Afghanistan, to raise funds for the charity Afghan Heroes.
Laurence Phillips, a spokesman for the charity, said: "This has been organised by the biking fraternity from across the UK, and it is their way of expressing their gratitude to the soldiers, who have given the ultimate, and also to the town.
"Wootton Bassett shows a spontaneous reaction when the people hear another soldier is coming through, they come out of the shops and line the streets, and the bikers want to recognise that."
The charity was set up two years ago by mothers of soldiers killed in Afghanistan to provide support for those directly involved in the conflict.
The annual Ride of Respect charity event began last year and raised £110,000 through donations from thousands of participating bikers.
Peter Fullarton, whose son, Lance Corporal James Fullarton, died in Afghanistan in August 2009, joined the crowds to welcome the bikers.
He told Sky News: "They all go out of their way, they don't care about time or money. They just come out and do it because they want to share in the honour of our boys who give the ultimate sacrifice.
"Without people like that, where would we be in this country? Because it's a country where everybody loves. That's what it's all about and it is a fantastic honour for our boys."
Last month, the Queen decided that Wootton Bassett, which has seen more than 150 repatriations since 2007, is to be officially renamed Royal Wootton Bassett.
The announcement was made as RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire prepares to close at the end of 2012, with the majority of its planes, kit and personnel moving to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
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