The deputy mayor of Swindon Ray Ballman plus friends and supporters waved off Swindon learner motorbike rider Jo Heavans on the second stage of long distance motorbike ride on back roads across England on 22 February.

Having passed her CBT motorbike test in October at the age of 47, Jo rode from Lands End to Hadrian’s on a 125cc Suzuki supplied by Abbey Rider Training based at Blunsdon Abbey Stadium. She was accompanied by  instructors Bill Ferrol on a bike and Jim Miller and Rob Fox in a backup van.

Jo has long been involved with communities in the Gambia and has organised several trips to the country through Bath based charity Gambia Connection. The money she raises from the challenge will fund the purchase of a solar powered lighting system from Swindon based charity money for Lights for Learning to illuminate Ndkiri Kunda Lower Basic School in April 2011 and also to raise the profile of Street Pastors in the towns and cities she passes through.

The trip started on 20 February when the team travelled to Lands End in the Abbey Rider vehicle with three bikes loaded in the back. The ride took in:
Monday 21 February: Lands End 8.45 - Camborne 9.30 - Exeter 12.30 - Yeovil 14.30 – Bath 15.45
Tuesday 22 February: Swindon 9.00 – Leicester 11.30 – Nottingham 13.00 – Sheffield 15.00
Wednesday 23 February: Leeds 9.30 – Stockton on Tees 11.00 – Hadrian’s Wall 14.30 – Newcastle 15.45 – Sunderland 17.00

At each stop they were due to link up with the Street Pastors, local dignitaries and media and welcomed local bikers along the route. Jo is hoping to collect over £1,500 towards the solar powered lights for the school

For more information about the ride contact Jo Heaven on 07771804365, mail Heavenfamily@aol.com or check out Facebook page 125cc Motorbike Challenge.

For information on Lights for Learning:  www.lightsforlearning.org

Street Pastors:  www.streetpastors.co.uk

Abbey Rider Training:  www.abbeyridertraining.co.uk

Pictured top, Jo will the Abbey Rider Training back up team

Middle, Jo with deputy mayor Ray Ballman, Swindon Street Pastor Paul Rush and Roger Muggridge, founder of Lights for Learning

Below, farewell from Swindon