TO SHOW their appreciation for the work of health care staff and key workers throughout the pandemic, a large group of Fermanagh motorcyclists joined other groups from across Northern Ireland on a bike tour of Belfast hospitals, raising money for Northern Ireland's Air Ambulance service in the process.

Their efforts saw approximately 80 motorcyclists from Fermanagh taking part in the "ride of thanks for the NHS" last Sunday morning, July 4.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter on behalf of the group of cyclists who travelled from Fermanagh, Ian 'Bruno' Browne, from Clabby, explained why they decided to organise the bike run.

"With the amount of staff working through Covid, such as the key workers and NHS staff, it was just a way to say thanks – to let them know that they were appreciated."

Outlining the Fermanagh group's journey, Bruno said: "We met at Enniskillen Castle, then left there and made our way to Maguiresbridge, Fivemiletown and Ballygawley, and then we stopped in Dungannon to meet the Cookstown and Dungannon groups. We all then headed together to Belfast."

Arriving in Belfast, the convoy had amassed around 1,000 motorcyclists as they began their tour around Belfast hospitals.

"There were groups from all across Northern Ireland who met in different locations and then we all met in Belfast.

"We went around all the hospitals in Belfast, and finished at the Mater Hospital," said Bruno, explaining that due to the amount of motorcyclists taking part, they couldn't stop outside the hospitals.

"Instead, as they passed by, they sounded their horns to show their gratitude to health care staff and key workers.

The bike run was as much a fundraiser as a demonstration of gratitude as the motorcyclists used it as an opportunity to raise money for the lifesaving charity, the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance, with each motorcyclist donating money to take part.

"The reason why we decided to give the donations to the Air Ambulance was because nine times out of 10, for any accident now the Air Ambulance is dispatched to it.

"With motorbike accidents, in nine times out of 10, accident victims are lifted by the Air Ambulance.

"Only for it, there would be a lot of loss," said Bruno, highlighting how many local shops donated to the fundraiser as well as individuals who couldn't take part in the run on the day.

Talking about the success of the run, Bruno went on to note how the weather held out for them until they were nearly back home.

"We had no rain until we came back to Ballygawley," he laughed.