News from 2007

9 October, 2007

Bikers Have a Ball in Memory of Andy

Shown below is a condensed version of the original report on the fund raising evening, which was originally published in the Sentinel Newspaper, and appeared on the Sentinel web site on 24 September 2007, by Richard Ault, Sentinel Newspaper reporter.  All accreditation for this article remains with Richard Ault and Sentinel Newspapers.  To view the original article please select this link to view the article on the Sentinel web site.

Motorcyclists dressed in leathers to enjoy the first annual Bikers Ball held at the Moorville Hall Hotel - with a dress code of bike leathers or casual clothes - which was arranged to raise money for the Andy Taft Charitable Trust.

The Andy Taft Charitable Trust is dedicated to raising cash for a variety of pre-hospital treatment groups, like the first responders, and to promoting bike safety.

Charity Trustee, Amanda Taft said, 'My dad would have loved the Bikers Ball.  He did a lot for charity, you would never meet anyone like him.'

Carolyn Wheat, the trusts chairperson added, 'This is the first bikers ball we have had.  Its all in aid of the charity.   We buy equipment for pre-hospital care and aim to promote bike safety.  No-one goes out on the road with the intention of hurting anyone.  But you have a choice about how you drive or ride and about taking a few seconds to look out for bikers. People need to be aware of motorbikes.   There is lots of things you could be doing to enhance your driving or riding.'

Statistics show that more motorcyclists are being killed on our roads.  In June alone, three bikers died in Staffordshire and one in Cheshire.

Daisy Wheat, who is also a trustee of the charity and who has been riding a motorbike since she was 16, said, 'You have to have eyes in the back of your head on a motorbike.  I always ride with a dipped light and my bike is bright yellow - but I still had a near miss when a taxi pulled out on me.

More details of the fund raising evening will appear here very soon.

4 June, 2007

Inmates to raise cash in memory of guard.

Inmates at Dovegate Prison are free-wheeling to raise funds in memory of a prison officer killed in a motorcycle crash.  The prisoners will be competing in sports like football, basketball, tag rugby and racing but with one difference - they will be battling it out in wheelchairs.

The four-day event at the privately run prison, in Marchington, is aimed at promoting disability awareness.  All proceeds will be donated to the Andy Taft Charitable Trust, established in memory of a Dovegate officer who was killed in a motorbike accident in November, 2005.

Deputy director Ray Duckworth said: 'We wanted to raise disability awareness throughout the prison.  This will give the prisoners some sort of concept of what it is like to be in a wheelchair but still be able to do things.  It was the prisoners who wanted to have the day in memory of Andy.  They thought very highly of him and wanted to hold some sort of memorial event.  The event will also raise the profile of the prison and the prisoners.  People think that because they are in prison they are bad, they have committed a crime, but they do want to put something back into society.  The prisoners are also going to be sponsored to be in a wheelchair for the day and they are going to pay to take part in the activities.'

Funds raised by the trust help to provide specialist care for people involved in road accidents in Staffordshire, help develop road safety and to assist families who have suffered loss or been affected by road accidents.  The event will run from June 11 to June 14.

(The above article was originally posted on the Burton Mail Newspaper web site on 22nd May 2007.  Full accreditation for the article goes to the reporter from the Burton Mail Newspaper.)

21 March, 2007

Pictures from the ATCT Quiz Night, at the Boar Inn at Moddershall

The evening of Thursday 8th March 2007 proved to be a very enjoyable night for visitors to the Boar Inn at Moddershall, as this was the venue for the inaugural Andy Taft Charitable Trust Quiz Night.   This delightful country pub offered a very welcoming atmosphere for what was to be a keenly fought contest for the array of prizes on offer.

Quiz-mistress Carolyn Wheat, who could certainly give Anne Robinson a run for her money, posed a wide variety of questions to the ever attentive teams.  The questions, which were both cunning and challenging and certainly made the old grey-matter kick into gear, were compiled and verified by Stella Smith.

Later in the evening, when it was time for the answers were to be checked, Stella was to show her steely no nonsense approach when it comes to making the final decision on correct answers.  Even the promise of a crisp new ten pound note could not sway Stella into giving an extra point or two to one of the teams whom I can't mention but I will - Paul, Matt and Lindsay from 'A Bit of a Boar' - who contested the odd decision.  Nuff said.

At the end of the quiz, the triumphant teams celebrating their success in true Andrew Flintoff style by sinking the odd glass of refreshment.  A very enjoyable night of mental acrobatics was had by all, and in the process, a very healthy £100 was raised.

Everyone associated with the Andy Taft Charitable Trust would like to thank all at the Boar Inn, Moddershall, for their hospitality.

Potters 'Arf 2006 - Valiant competitors proudly show-off their awards after completing the 13 miles

In the heat of battle at last year's grueling Potters 'Arf, enthusiastic athletes by the names of Andrew 'Billy' Kidd and his wife Michelle gallantly battled their way around the punishing 13 miles of the Stoke-on-Trent course.

The full story of their epic efforts of last year will appear here very soon, as will their hopes and aspirations for another possible attempt at this years race, as they contemplate raising funds for the Andy Taft Charitable Trust.

© Andy Taft Charitable Trust 2007

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