Thousands of motorcyclists pay tribute to the fallen at the National Memorial Arboretum 051024 CREDIT National Memorial Arboretum . — Thousands of motorcyclists pay tribute to the fallen at the National Memorial Arboretum (Picture: National Memorial Arboretum )

Veterans

Ride to the Wall: Motorcyclists pay tribute to fallen at National Memorial Arboretum

Thousands of motorcyclists have gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the annual Ride to the Wall to honour the fallen servicemen and women on the Armed Forces Memorial.

Now in its 17th year, the Ride to the Wall is a community tribute paid to those who "can no longer ride by our side".

Riders from all corners of the UK and overseas roared into the Arboretum in a convoy, each group departing from one of 11 designated starting points across the country.

Thousands attended the Service of Remembrance in memory of the fallen UK Armed Service personnel whose names are engraved on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial — Thousands attended a service of remembrance in memory of the fallen, whose names are engraved on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial (Picture: National Memorial Arboretum)

"This is my sixth Ride to the Wall and fourth year riding pillion, yet this unique and poignant event never ceases to amaze me," said Philippa Rawlinson, the director of the National Memorial Arboretum.

"The rumble of engines can be heard across our 150-acre site from early in the morning and thousands of motorcycles processing into the Arboretum remains an incredible sight."

David "Blu" Sheaf, a veteran of Northern Ireland, stood to attention for five hours, saluting each rider as they passed.

David 'Blu' Sheaf, who braves the weather every year saluted every motorcyclist as they rode past (Picture: National Memorial Arboretum) — David "Blu" Sheaf, who braves the weather every year, saluted every motorcyclist as they rode past (Picture: National Memorial Arboretum)

Since its inception in 2008, Ride to the Wall has raised over £1.66m to support the ongoing upkeep of the National Memorial Arboretum.

"We want to help make sure that the National Memorial Arboretum can continue to share the stories of those who have served and sacrificed for our country," Martin Dickinson, the founder of Ride to the Wall, explained.