The Ace - Make-a-wish

[Whealie]

Just back from a truly ace meet at the Ace cafe to officially tell Make-a-Wish how much we raise on The Longest Day - £22,700 in the end.

On a scorching day, there must have been 30 xrvers turned up. Good to see so many faces again. It was great too to chat to the Bikesafe coppers again - thanks to them for lending their laptop. And we had a chance to thank the staff at the Ace for opening up for us at 6am with free butties and tea and coffee.

There was hardly a dry eye in the house after Karen from Make-a-Wish showed us a video of some of the fantastic wishes they have granted, many of them for children who have subsequently died.

They grant on average about two wishes every day, fully funding the trip, insurance and all expenses for the whole family, making it a truly memorable day.

Our fund-raising will cover about six of these special days for terminally ill children.

It was belittling to see what these families go through.

I feel immensely proud to have been part of such a marathon effort.

Well done to everyone who was involved, especially Tom (Alslapper) for organising today.

[russh]

A couple of pics from the morning.

A real sterling effort people, and as for the total ......£22,700

Well done to everyone involved.

[pdsquire]

Absolutely bl@ddy marvellous!

It was fabulous to see so many riders and XRVers though unfortunate the Ace's air-conditioning system dumped so much dust into the room when we were watching the Make-a-Wish film.

What a stunning achievement! We worried gerring to £5k, then £10k, wondered whether we could ever hope to get beyond 12 and always knew topping 15 was impossible. So how in the name of Hell did we get to £22,700?!

Sheer hard work and an astonishing amount of goodwill: that's how.

Everyone who was involved in any way - organising, riding, leading, cheering, making butties, greeting, keeping the home-fires burning, whatever - should stop for a moment and think what an amazing achievement it is. And then thank the heavens that they've had the privilege of contributing to such a worthy charity.

Well done you, well done us, well done XRV and well done Make-a-Wish!

Philip

[alpslapper]

There was hardly a dry eye in the house ...

How many more times - it was too hot in that room and I was sweating, gord dammit !!!!!!!!!

It was soooo good to see old faces again - thanks to everyone for coming along and helping us formally close this years event.

As Philip and Whealie have said, everyone and anyone who played any part what so ever in this years event should feel rightly proud of yourselves. When you hear what some families, and the children themselves have to go through, it really does give you a sense of persepective. And to be a part of making some of those magical wishes come true for these familes and children is truely a privilage.

Karen was great, and she's going to keep in touch and let us know of one or two of the wishes they were able to make come true for some of the kids with the money we raised.

A special thanks also to 'Bird' for taking loads of pics on my camera. Im sorry I dont know your name, but PDS affectionaltely calls you Bird here. I hope you read this and smack him one for it I'll load the pics up as soon as the batteries recharge and I can get them off the camera.

[StumpyFingers]

WOW......
That is going to take some beating in future. But We have enabled them to make a few families happy in their last moments together.

[Sharribee]

It was great to see so many people today what a fantastic achievment and wonderful gift to children that will really need it. You are all the greatest well done to everyone involved

[Traveller]

Even the sun played its part today. I had a great day, good to see everyone and what a result.

Can't wait for next year, I am allready working on a fundraising idea.

All the best.

[Mabels Old Man]

It was great to see everybody. What a brilliant achievment. Strange how the dust got into everybodies eyes.

[Snaphappy]

ANY MORE PICS

[Chad]

top work peeps give yourselves a good pat on the back

year one 15 grand

year two nigh on 23 grand

feck ye got your work cut out next year