‘Bike Fest’ raises money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance

 The charity event held at Outwood Academy Shafton raised more than £4000

On Monday 17 July, Outwood Academy Shafton students presented a cheque to Yorkshire Air Ambulance representative, Laura Lawton. The money was raised at the ‘Bike Fest’ event, held at the academy on 1 July.

The annual event was originally set up by Technology Teacher, Christopher Rooke, along with his friend and local engineer, Terry Summers. It is now organised in collaboration with the academy’s Technology students, the academy charity committee and a group of local volunteers from Jolly Good Communities. This year, the event was held in tribute to Terry who unfortunately lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

The first event in 2019, raised around £600 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, followed by more than £1,500 raised in year 2. This year, the committee set a fundraising target of £3,000, which was surpassed with the final total raised totalling just over £4000. 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 1,500 attendees; many from the local community but some from as far as Doncaster and Sheffield. In true ‘Bike Fest’ fashion, around 500 bikes and some classic machinery were also in attendance. Motorcycles can be entered into the motorcycle show, with the top bikes chosen by a panel of judges and students.

Other entertainment on the day included activities delivered by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the landing of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance on site. The school’s annual Engineering Awards were 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 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.

“The day is also about raising awareness of motorcycling in the community, promoting safe and responsible motorcycling and dissuading antisocial behaviour on bikes.”

The next ‘Bike Fest’ is planned for Saturday 6 July 2024. 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.