Light rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the 320 motorcyclists and supporters at the eighth annual Birmingham Ride for Kids®. The group raised $90,060 for the PBTF.
The loop ride left from Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala., with a police escort. After touring tree-lined country roads, the riders were treated to two laps around the speedway.
The ride was followed by a Celebration of Life program that featured top fundraisers and a medical researcher, but the real stars were local brain tumor survivors Matt, Bayleigh, Karissa and Molly.
Bayleigh’s dad, Johnnie, said, “Without your help there would be no new techniques and treatments available to help save children like mine.”
Other special guests included Dr. G. Yancey Gillespie, professor of neurosurgery and director of brain tumor research at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and former Moto GP racer Kevin Schwantz, who has a riding school at Barber.
The top fundraisers were:
• Individual: Claudio Chaves, $6,760
• Chapter/Club: GWRRA AL-X, $17,269
• Motorcycle Business: Action Lock & Trikes, $17,041
Bill Smith of Alabaster, Ala., won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle.
Ride for Kids® is grateful for the support of the associates of Honda of Alabama Manufacturing, along with George Barber, Jeff Ray and the team at Barber Motorsports Park. Many dedicated volunteers made this ride a success, including local task force leaders Bill and Joyce Smith, Roy and Anita Fosnight, and Stacy Ashby.
