The event held at Outwood Academy Shafton raised more than £1,500

On Friday 14 October, Outwood Academy Shafton presented a cheque to Yorkshire Air Ambulance representative, Laura Lawton. The money was raised at the ‘Bike Fest’ event back in July.

The annual event was originally set up by Technology Teacher, Christopher Rooke, and is now organised alongside Outwood Academy Shafton Engineering students, the academy charity committee and a group of local volunteers from Jolly Good Communities.

The last event raised around £600 for charity and this year the committee had set a target of raising £1,000, which was surpassed with the final total raised being £1,519. Funds are raised through a small donation upon entry and other activities throughout the day, such as a tombola, fairground games, raffles and sales of food and drinks.

This year’s event saw around 1,000 attendees, many from the local community but also from further afield. One motorcycle club travelled to the event from Durham, using it as an opportunity for a ride out. Motorcycles can be entered into the motorcycle show where the top bikes are chosen by a panel of judges and students. Other entertainment on the day included live bands and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance, giving a live demo of a vehicle rescue. The school’s annual Engineering Awards are also held on the day.

Christopher Rooke, Teacher of Technology said of the event:

“The main aim of ‘Bike Fest’ is to raise as much money as we can for our chosen charity of the year and create a great community event where people can come together and enjoy the day, but we also take the opportunity to hold our annual student Engineering Awards at the event too.

“The day is also to raise awareness of motorcycling in the community, promoting safe and responsible motorcycling and dissuade antisocial behaviour on bikes.”

The next ‘Bike Fest’ is planned for Saturday 1 July 2023. If anyone would like to know more about the event, or if businesses would like to rent a stall, sponsor the event or donate raffle prizes, please contact Christopher Rooke on c.rooke@shafton.outwood.com.