AN annual motorcycle ride out raised more than £8,000 for a life-saving charity. 

DocBike Regional Leads led separate convoys starting from locations in Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Somerset on September 21. 

After completing their routes, motorcyclists were greeted at the Dorset Bike Festival in Bere Regis to mark the end of the ride. 

More than 600 people turned out in support at the festival and were treated to bike displays, an array of stalls from motorcycle dealerships, food, live music and prizes. 

The event also provided DocBike volunteers with the opportunity to engage with motorcyclists to raise awareness of their work. 

Volunteers help keep other injured motorcyclists alive until the emergency services arrive by. 

Brett Callaghan, deputy national director of DocBike, said: “This was the first time that we held the end point of our ride out at the Dorset Bike Festival and we are delighted that it was such a success.  

“The DocBike charity receives no funding from the government and relies on the generosity of the public to continue our life-saving work, so we are thrilled to have raised such a fantastic amount which will help towards our ever-growing operational costs." 

“Leading the Devon, Somerset and Avon ride into the Dorset Bike Festival was an amazing feeling; you could really sense the atmosphere as we came down the driveway.  

“I could not believe how many people were milling around the displays, food tents and of course the DocBike stands, and on top of that, the sun was shining.”