Between 500 and 1,000 motorcyclists are expected to participate in a charity ride on Sunday, 20 July, in memory of Private Conrad Lewis from Claverdon, Warwickshire, who was killed in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan, the Leamington Observer reports.
The procession, starting from Ragley Hall near Alcester and heading towards Bridgnorth, will be led by Conrad’s brother Jordan and their father Tony, who will be riding a motorbike his son gave him before he left for Afghanistan. Bikers who want to participate in the ride can start meeting at the venue from 8am to 10am, before the procession leaves.
The idea for the ride was conceived by Nick Ward, a 55-year-old local biker, who told the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald that by late June 250 people had already signed up for the ride. Quoted by the local newspaper, he explained that Conrad, just like the rest of his family, was a biker and it made perfect sense to commemorate him in that fashion.
Taking part in Conrad’s Ride costs £5 per person and all of the event’s proceeds will go to the 353 fund – a trust set up by the Lewis family to support different charities helping soldiers and their families. It is expected that this Sunday’s event will raise up to £5,000.
Killed by a sniper in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on 9 February 2011, Conrad Lewis became the 353rd British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.
Image: 353.org.uk