On behalf of Eastern Lights, a cheque for £9080 has been presented to Matron Julia Hunt of the Emergency Care Services at the James Paget University Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit.

The money will be used to buy additional resuscitation equipment to enhance the service for patients.   Matron Hunt said “I am delighted to receive this donation which brings the total raised in the eight years of this event to almost £66,000.”  She added “using this generous donation to fund extra equipment and facilities at the A & E unit will really make a big difference. Eastern Lights are now one of the major fundraisers for the unit”

At the presentation, spokesman Paul Howard said “I was overwhelmed by the huge number of bikers and helpers that turned up at the Get-together on Royal Green in July. Only 52 of the 896 riders that had prepaid to take part in the cavalcade (which was subsequently cancelled) asked for their fees to be refunded and we are really grateful to the bikers for their generosity.”

Paul also added “We cannot change what has happened this year but we can look forward to next year and I can announce that we have now fixed a date for an event on Sunday 25th July 2010.  We do not as yet know what form the event will take – but it will take place in Suffolk and a meeting with Suffolk Police is planned for the near future.”

Mr Howard also praised the support that Eastern Lights had from sponsors including Brian Hall of Supersign Duramark, Howsham
Memorials Ltd, Harrod UK and from the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. He also thanked MP Bob Blizzard for his help in trying to broker a solution with Norfolk Police and to Mayor Malcolm Cherry for his support.