With one month to go until Armed Forces Day, Provost of Aberdeenshire, Jill Webster, has welcomed a group of bikers to Aberdeenshire Council to congratulate them on their fundraising efforts for ex-servicemen and women.
The Provost welcomed the 10 bikers from Aberdeenshire and Moray to Aberdeenshire Council’s headquarters at Woodhill House on Thursday, May 28.
The bikers, who are members of Legion Scotland’s Riders’ Branch, held a number of events last month, raising over £2,000 for charities including Legion Scotland’s Voices for Veterans.
Riders’ Branch District Representative, Mike Barclay, described the fundraising events: “One of our members ran a charity shop for a week selling donations from members and from the public which raised around £700.
“We held our annual biker rally in Aboyne as well, which was a weekend of goodwill and which raised over £1,000.
“Another member grew his hair for a year before shaving it and his beard off for sponsorship, raising £800 although we’re thinking of sponsoring him to grow it back again as we’ve got so used to him with long hair!”
The week of Armed Forces Day begins on Monday, June 22 when the Armed Forces Day flag will be raised on buildings and famous landmarks across the UK.
The flag will be raised at Aberdeenshire Council’s Woodhill House headquarters that morning and the flag-raising ceremony will be attended by councillors, council staff and members of the public.
Provost Webster, said: “It was wonderful to welcome members of the Legion Scotland Riders’ Branch to Woodhill House in anticipation of Armed Forces Day.
“Over 100 events have been registered across the UK so far for the public to attend, including the flag-raising ceremony that will take place here.
“I hope Aberdeenshire residents are inspired by the extraordinary fundraising efforts of the bikers and that everyone takes this opportunity to support both current and former servicemen and women who do so much for our country.”
For more information on Legion Scotland’s Riders’ Branch please visit www.rblsr.org