TWO great-grandads have completed a huge motorbike journey covering the length of the UK to raise money for The Salvation Army in Royston.
Bob Woodcock, 71, and 72-year-old Melvyn Thomas spent 11 days on the road after setting off from Royston, going down to Land’s End in Cornwall, up to John O’Groats and then back to Barnsley.
It is the 14th year that Bob has hit the road to raise money for charity on his Triumph 900 1996 bike and the third year that his friend Melvyn has joined him on his Royal Enfield 350.
They were also accompanied by their cuddly toy monkey mascot Boris.
Melvyn, who has two children, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter, said: “What an adventure, we did just short of 2,500 miles all for a good cause.
“There were many highlights from the Devil’s Porridge Museum in Gretna, Scotland, which was the largest munitions factory in the world during the First World War, to the Seal Sanctuary in Dunnet.
“We also met the North Coast car rally going the opposite way which made for an interesting drive on a single track road.
“The weather was on our side for most of the trip apart from one heavy rainfall on the way down but that didn’t dampen our spirits.”
He added that the support has been amazing throughout and they’re glad to have raised £700 already - though the full total has not yet been counted up.
“The support was incredible with lots of people pipping and waving,” he added.
”The intention of the trip was to raise awareness of the Salvation Army as a whole whilst raising funds for our Royston branch.”
In Cornwall, the kind-hearted pair also dropped off some medical supplies and assisted with repairing a generator for their friend’s Ukraine relief works.
The majority of the money they raised will go to The Salvation Army, with some also going to Barnsley Hospital, who looked after Bob’s great-granddaughter when she was poorly.
Bob, who has three daughters, five grandchildren and a great grandchild, added: “Well it’s been a great charity run for The Salvation Army.
“Melvyn and I rode 2,443 miles in mostly beautiful weather.
“Thank you everyone for your support and thank you to all who welcomed us home at Royston Salvation Army.
“The Salvation Army do a fantastic job, they never turn anyone away and are always there to help people that need it.”
