Virgin Atlantic rolls out motorcycles that will deliver

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, today delivered the first batch of motorcycles that will help to bring much-needed medical support to small villages and communities in Kenya and throughout Africa.

The money for the motorcycles was raised by customers contributing to Virgin Atlantic’s onboard charity appeal and by staff who took part in a wide range of fundraising events over the past year. The money was then donated to support the work of the charity Riders for Health, which was selected by Virgin Group’s charitable arm Virgin Unite. Riders for Health has been working in Africa for 17 years and will buy and maintain the motorcycles.

The motorcycles will enable a team of healthcare workers to provide rural communities with improved access to essential drugs and basic health services. Many of the suffering who need help live in remote areas and are often many miles away from the closest hospital or clinic. Each mobile health worker could potentially reach thousands of people each year, offering health education messages as well as vital medicines.

Delivering the first of the 31 motorcycles in Kenya, Sir Richard was joined by two of the world’s most famous bikers, actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, who are themselves currently raising money for Riders for Health through their own iconic adventure, traveling the Long Way Down through Europe and Africa.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where Virgin Atlantic has just begun daily flights from London Heathrow, Sir Richard said:

"Tens of thousands of Virgin Atlantic customers and staff have helped raise money to bring these bikes to Africa. Preventable and treatable diseases continue to kill thousands of people across the continent every single day and one of the biggest issues is reaching that ?last mile? with healthcare services. Through the dedication of Riders for Health staff, these bikes will enable healthcare to get to the remotest of areas, quicker than it might otherwise, improving the quality of life experienced by those in the villages. We hope that we can save many lives and deliver important health messages to ensure the health of future generations."

Ewan McGregor commented:

"Travelling the Long Way Down through Africa, Charley and I have a first hand understanding of the vastness of this continent and the great distances between borders, towns and villages. The work Riders for Health do here is vital, bridging the gaps between communities and bringing health services to the people of Africa."

Andrea Coleman, CEO of Riders for Health, said:

"Thank you to Virgin Atlantic’s customers and staff. The money you have raised for Riders for Health will buy 31 motorcycles; in other words, 31 lifelines for many rural communities in Africa. Riders for Health will now enable even more health professionals to visit isolated communities, where women and children might otherwise die of diseases that are easily preventable and curable. Uniquely, Virgin has also recognized that money is needed to cover the cost of the maintenance of the bikes so Riders can ensure they can deliver healthcare day in, day out."

Riders for Health expects to use the motorcycles in Kenya, Zimbabwe and other African countries. Projects to be supported include Vumilia, a grassroots organisation run by local women focused on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Western Kenya. The motorcycles will also support Aid Village Clinics, an innovative health model that uses a central medical facility and health outreach workers on motorcycles to deliver healthcare in rural Kenya.

The motorcycles are Honda C10's which have been kindly assembled locally by Marshalls Ltd, the Honda agent for Nairobi.

Ewan and Charley’s record journey will take them from John O’Groats in northern Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa, where the pair expect to arrive in August. Long Way Down is being produced and directed by Russ Malkin of Big Earth and David Alexanian of Elixir Films, who have witnessed and documented Ewan and Charley’s previous adventures Long Way Round and Race To Dakar.

For more information on the work of Riders for Health please log onto Riders.org.