United Kingdom - Bikers gear up for 22nd pet cavalcade

OFF THE WIRE
ANIMAL loving bikers will be riding out once more to raise money for Potteries pets.

The hugely-popular Petfood Cavalcade is now in its 22nd year.

The idea of bikers staging a charity collection was first dreamed up by Sid Rogers in 1990, after the animal lover grew tired of running marathons.

The inaugural run was attended by 225 bikers, but has since grown to a regular attendance of more than 5,000.

And once more thousands of motorcyclists from across Britain will once again take to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent this weekend.

Tomorrow's run will see participants pay £3 to take part and collect tins and packets of dog and cat food from the public along the route.

Organiser Sid, aged 71, of Trentham, hopes the pet food collected will be enough to keep animal rescue centres stocked up until next year.

Sid, a biker for over 50-years who owns two rescue dogs, Belle and Bobby, said: "This year with the recession, it is very important.

"It's causing hardship, marriages are breaking up and all the rescue centres are full to the brim

"The donations are more important than ever.

"I'm looking forward to Sunday. It depends on the weather, but we can get up to 5,000 bikers taking part.

"We can be getting donations for up to 10 charities on the day, but the main ones are the RSPCA and the Cat's Protection League.

"We get some bikers bringing their dogs with them in sidecars. There's one dog, Vas, who rides on the pillion with his owner.

"Up to date we have been able to help over 30 animal charities and sanctuaries within a 100 mile radius of Stoke-on-Trent.

"I first organised it because I was tired of running marathons. Riding on two wheels is definitely better than running on two legs.

"I've always loved animals. My two main hobbies are bikes and walking my dogs."

Residents will line the roads as the cavalcade rides past and make donations.

They have been asked to hold up their carrier bags full of pet food as the bikers pass so they can be collected easily.

Bikers are also recommended to take along a backpack to carry the donations.

Last year's event, which was badly affected by the weather, raised over £3,000 as well as several tonnes of pet food.

Sid added: "It shows how much the weather affects us. If we get a sunny day, we can raise as much as £5,000."

Bikers will meet at Vale Park at 11.30am for a noon start for the 20-mile cavalcade.

The event will be followed by a rock gig featuring classic rock and blues covers band Spyder at 2pm; along with a motorcycle accessories auction and a raffle for biking paraphernalia.

Sid is also appealing for race marshals to help on the day. For more information, call him on 01782 657509

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Bikers-gear-22nd-pet-cavalcade/story-13349912-detail/story.html