Full Throttle riders Karl Taylor and James Smart have paid tribute to the scores of fellow bikers who have supported their efforts to raise money for air ambulance services across the UK.

The first weekend of their nine-day 2,000 mile ride across England and into Scotland saw the riders back in the Midlands last night (Sunday) night after trips to Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, Trowbridge in Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol before they set off today to Burton on Trent and Buxton and on to Newcastle-under-Lyme, Crewe and then onto Eccles near Manchester and several other locations in the east before heading over the border to Scotland later in the week.

Both Karl, 45 and his work colleague James, 29, who have been keen bikers since their teens, praised the moral and financial support they have so far received on their travels.

“Bikers have come from everywhere to welcome us when we arrive and see us off when we leave. A number have joined us on short stages of the ride and they have been magnificent. They have been absolutely brilliant; keeping us going – often helping us find the way. 

I really can’t thank them enough and we have met some really nice people. Everyone has been so friendly.”

Both Karl, manager of The Ryemarket shopping centre in Stourbridge and James, services manager at The Foundry shopping centre, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire say they have been made to feel like celebrities, posing for photographs and giving interviews for radio and newspapers.

“I don’t think it’ll go to our heads, but it makes us realise that what we are doing is so worthwhile and appreciated,” said Karl. The pair, who are accompanied on their ride by support driver Colin Beswick, of Spring Gardens shopping centre, Buxton in Derbyshire, hope to raise at least £20,000 for air ambulance services across the country. In Scotland air ambulances are NHS funded so money raised will be distributed to local charities.

A brand new Suzuki GSX650F motorbike is up for grabs in the fantastic raffle and to be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize call in to one of the participating shopping centres listed on the route page of this website to buy a raffle ticket. They cost £1 each or £5 per book with all the money going to air ambulance organisations operating in the areas on the bike route. The petrol tank of the prize bike has been signed by Richard Hammond who was helped by the air ambulance service following his horrendous crash. Alternatively the winner can opt for a cash alternative of £5,000 and there are other prizes including a helicopter flying lesson, remote control helicopters, a weekend family break at a Butlins of your choice and Jamie Oliver crockery.

TV presenter Richard Hammond has given his backing to a project that aims to raise thousands of pounds for air ambulance charities across the country.

The star, who almost lost his life in a high speed crash, has agreed to sign the petrol cap of a motorbike that is being put up as a raffle prize as part of the Full Throttle Fundraiser – a motorbike adventure being undertaken by a biker from the West Midlands.

For some time shopping centre manager Karl Taylor has harboured an ambition to ride out to other shopping centres round the country. Now he is weeks away from setting out on the Full Throttle Fundraiser.

Apart from his love of bikes and a desire to take to the open road at every opportunity, Karl, 45, is keen to encourage his scattered colleagues to work together for a single cause.

Air Ambulance is an organisation close to bikers’ hearts because of the work they do in helping to save the lives of accident victims, many of whom are bikers. Around half of all the missions carried out involve road traffic incidents.