HUNDREDS of bikers roared through the spring sunshine on a charity motorcycle ride to Felixstowe.

Lizzie Parry

HUNDREDS of bikers roared through the spring sunshine on a charity motorcycle ride to Felixstowe.

The motorcycle run was held yesterday to raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

More than 600 bikers took part in the event, starting off at Orwell Motorcycles where bacon rolls and cups of tea gave them an early morning energy boost ahead of the ride.

Taking in the glorious Suffolk countryside the bikers ended their run at the seafront in Felixstowe at around midday.

Patsy Johnson, events co-ordinator at the hospice, said she had been “amazed” at the amount of support.

“We will have raised about �4,000 when I have counted it all up,” she said. “It was the first bike run we have organised and we were only expecting about 250 bikes to take part but I think the weather has just brought people out.

“It has been a complete success; I am absolutely over the moon with how well it went.

“They were the most generous, most caring, lovely people taking part, they were so supportive of the whole event. It was so exciting.”

She thanked Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists who organised the route and marshalled the event and Ray Walters of Orwell Motorcycles.

The arrival of the bikers in Felixstowe coincided with a Bike Safety Awareness show organised by Suffolk County Council RideNet, with safety displays and dealer stands from across the region.

Training organisations and local member clubs were also on hand to chat to visitors eager to learn about the new initiatives in the biking world.

Did you take part in the ride? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.