MOTORBIKE enthusiasts from across Worcestershire are being encouraged to sign up for one of the biggest biking events in the country in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

The Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival takes place on Sunday April 30 over the county border in Shropshire.

The Ride Out, led this year by former world superbike champion Carl Fogarty and other high profile motorbike enthusiast, covers a 23-mile route from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford, near Shifnal.

There are places for 3,500 bikes and the organisers are urging riders to book a place to avoid disappointment.

Jason Levy, from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and chair of the Bike4Life organising committee, said: “Bike4Life is a very popular event amongst the biking community, raising awareness of biker safety, and lifesaving funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

“This year, the Ride Out will be led by former World Superbike champion and racing legend, Carl Fogarty; motorcycle and truck racing legend, Steve Parrish; adventure motorcyclist and author, Nick Sanders; and former Boyzone popstar and professional drift driver and motorcycle enthusiast, Shane Lynch; so it really is an event not to be missed.”

The Ride Out will end at RAF Cosford for the Bike4Life Festival, which will feature performances from live bands including headliners The Wholls, a special skydive display from the Red Devils, and performances by Nitro Circus freestyle motocross star, Jamie Squibb.

To take part in the Ride Out simply visit www.bike4lifefest.com. It only costs £10 per motorbike (pillions ride for free) with all proceeds raised going to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which organises the event. For those who simply want to attend the Bike4Life Festival, entrance is £5 per person and under 16s go free.

Bike4Life is run in collaboration with Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police which works to promote road safety and to help reduce the number of road traffic collisions across West Mercia. The event is supported by the Shropshire and Powys Advanced Riders (SaPAR), Central Motorway Police Group, Highways England, West Mercia Police, Shropshire County Council, the RAF Museum Cosford and RAF Cosford.

Find out more information about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the Safer Roads Partnership visit www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

• Midlands Air Ambulance serves the largest air ambulance region in the UK. This includes the communities of Worcestershire; Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and Gloucestershire - representing a population in excess of six million.

• The charity now responds to an average of 2,000 missions each year (approximately six each day) making Midlands Air Ambulance one of the longest established and busiest air ambulance operators in the UK.

• Every year Midlands Air Ambulance crew attend over 1,000 road traffic accidents on some of the most congested motorway networks in the country.

• It costs in excess of £7 million each year just to keep the charity’s three helicopters operational. The charity relies entirely on the support and generosity of local people and businesses.

• The three air ambulance helicopters are based at Strensham Services on the M5 in Worcestershire (covering Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire); Cosford airbase, near Shifnal, Shropshire (covering Shropshire and the West Midlands) and Tatenhill airbase, near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire (covering Staffordshire and the West Midlands).