This has been always a special club run not only because it’s the last club run but also it is for such a worthy course. I believe Busy Bee and Linda Wilsmore from the Ace Café have been supporting this particular animal home for over 15 years.
The format for the day is as follows:-
We meet at the Ace Café for 10am and wait for everyone to bring food and presents for the animals. Then around 11am a member of staff arrive with a small van from the Mayhew Animal Home to pick up the donations.
We pose for a quick photo shoot in front of the Ace café before jumping on our bikes and heading off to the animal home.
The Mayhew in not too far from the Ace. They are based at Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green. NW10 6BJ. Tel: 020 8962 8000. This is a very short ride to the Mayhew.
We park up outside the home and immediately we are greeted by the staff. All the snacks together with hot and cold beverages are laid out on the table. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming.
After a quick snack we are invited in small groups to take a tour of their fantastic facilities. We are also given an opportunities to see at all the animals. All the staff are aware of each and every animal in their facility with regards to why they are there and what treatment they are receiving.
This year we were also given a tour of the operating theatre as it was recently refurbished. I was amassed to see so much equipment and medicine required. They also provide and educate owners and offer many treatments free of charge or at a substantially reduced cost.
After everyone has a good look around we go back to the main reception for more drinks. Here Pat presented a cheque for £120 on behalf of the Busy Bee Club. We would like to say thank you to Steve-V, Ian, Chris, Pat & Brian, Steve-E, Johnny and everyone for their generosity.
And most of all to the staff of the Mayhew Animal Home for their total dedication and what a fantastic job they are doing with such limited funds.
Have a Wonderful Christmas and see you in the New Year!
Vinnie
The years past quicker and quicker must be something to do with getting older. Here we go again down the motorway on drizzly dark morning wondering many will turn up today need not have worried when I got to the Ace there were lots of father Christmases and Elvis plus snowmen on bikes ready to go. Big Ron was once again at the helm after his last year’s speech stating that “this was his last year”. Well done Ron!
The Unity Support Riders were in abundance. I spoke to one of them who told me that he had ridden all the way from Bournemouth that morning. Fantastic effort by the whole group. Set off to St. Mary’s Paddington being very careful on greasy roads and the ride was accident free.
At the hospital parked right at the end of the road and slowly walked back to the hospital main entrance. As I arrived the van was already leaving the hospital.
Just made it to Royal Brompton and Harefield who were prepared and expecting us and passes smoothly. Next was St. Thomas’s which is always a nice ride and they are always please to see us. This is a very rewarding day out with lots of banter and pedestrians waving at us.
Then the big group returned to the Ace where prizes were given for best costumes. Thanks to the unity riders for their effort and everybody for coming. Journey home was not a pleasant one as there was drizzle and motorway spray which made the vision bad but soon I was back home. A nice feeling making it all worthwhile. Paws & Clews Run left now before Christmas. Ride safe all of you
PS. Have just read through and realised that I had not mentioned the other Busy Bee rider today our chairman Brian who has always made back to the Ace first. I was second, don’t have to wait too long for lunch that way.
Ian
