ENGLAND RUGBY LEGEND MIKE TINDALL MBE LEADS 3500 BIKERS IN CONVOY ON ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BIKE 4 LIFE EVENT IN AID OF THE MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE

Sunday 22nd April

Former England Rugby Captain and 2003 World Cup Winner Mike Tindall MBE will swap his rugby boots for a helmet and two wheels when he officially leads out a convoy of 3500 motorbikes across Shropshire on the annual BIKE 4 LIFE Ride Out.

The ride out which takes place on Sunday 22nd April is the largest motorbike gathering in the country and sees thousands of bikers take to the road in a huge convoy on a 23 mile ride from Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford, home of the BIKE 4 LIFE Festival.

The annual event sees the biking community get together to do their bit in raising valuable funds for the MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE charity, which Mike has been an ambassador for the last five years.

Mike will lead out the 3500 strong crowd with former World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty and Steve Parrish former British Superbike champion and Moto GP presenter.

The event is organised by the Midlands Air Ambulance in conjunction with the Safer Roads Partnership which is part of West Mercia and Warwickshire Police to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, while also promoting road safety.

Mike has been a keen biker for a number of years and has been a passionate supporter of the lifesaving work of The Midlands Air Ambulance which has a strong affinity to the biking world. Of the 2000 plus mission the Midlands Air Ambulance attends each year over 1000  of these relate to road traffic collisions. Many of these include incidents involving motorcyclists with serious and life threatening injuries.

Now in its fifth year, BIKE4LIFE is the biking event to kick start the motorcycle season. Last year the Bike4Life Festival and ride out raised over £78,300 for the Midlands Air Ambulance with over 10,000 bikers of attending the family friendly event.

Midlands Air Ambulance Ambassador Mike Tindall MBE who rides a Harley Davidson Soft Tail Break Out said;

“ I am delighted to not only support this year’s BIKE 4LIFE campaign again but to also lead out the 3500 bikers which is a huge honour alongside Foggie (Carl Fogarty) and Parish (Steve Parrish). This is the one time in the year when the biking community gets together to pay its thanks for the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance.”

Tindall added; “ Being on a motorbike you are far more vulnerable than someone in a car who has much greater degree of protection. As a biker you are also constantly exposed to hazards on the roads and much more serious injuries in the event of a collision. Speed and emergency life saving care are critical in these situations to saving bikers lives. As a biker myself I fully support the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance and the BIKE 4 LIFE campaign, it’s important for all of us in the biking community to come together and support such a great cause.”

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THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

AN UPDATE

Members of the Public Invited to Windsor Castle

Members of the public from around the United Kingdom have this week learned that they will be amongst the 2,640 people in the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th.

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they wanted their wedding day to be shaped to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations. As previously announced, the couple asked Lord Lieutenants to invite 1,200 people to join the celebrations, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.

This group includes:

Northern Ireland

Philip Gillespie, 30, from Ballymena. Philip, who lost his right leg in an IED incident in Afghanistan, raises funds and awareness for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and has just taken part in Invictus Games UK Team Trials for rowing, swimming and archery.

Catherine Cooke, 53, and Julie-Ann Coll, 35, from Londonderry. Catherine and Julie-Ann are a mother and daughter who have been nominated for their charity work. Catherine is a co-ordinator at the Foyle’s Women’s Information Network and Julie-Ann runs a support group that helps parents cope with child bereavement.

West Midlands

Rashid Bhayat, 38, from Coventry. Rashid is CEO of Positive Youth Foundation, a charity set up in 2011 to support young people in challenging circumstances.

Rosie Ginday, 34, from Birmingham. Rosie is the founder of Miss Macaroon, a social enterprise that provides culinary training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Tessa Hince, 32, and Hayley Ash, 32, from Banbury and Shipston-on-Stour. Tessa and Hayley founded the Shipston Christmas Community Lunch, which caters for people who are lonely or on their own over Christmas.

East Midlands and East England

Jorja Furze, 12, from Ely. Jorja is an amputee from birth and ambassador for the Steel Bones charity. She has also set up an Anxiety Group for Year Sevens to help new students adjust to life at high school.

Reuben Litherland, 14, from Derby. Reuben was born deaf and has started lunchtime lessons to teach sign language at school. He also works to raise the awareness of the Deaf community’s needs to access to public services.

South West

Kai Fletcher, 18, from Bath. Kai received support from the Southside Family Project and now works with the charity to help other children and young people through similar challenges.

Grant White, 52, from Dorset. Grant was a Royal Marine for 22 years and continued to serve after losing his leg. He now volunteers to help other wounded or sick military men and women by running the off-road rally, adventure and training team Race2Recovery.

South East

Laurelle Henry, 14, from Lewisham. Laurelle was the Young Mayor of Lewisham 2017. She aims to develop more activities and safe social spaces for young people.

Pamela Anomneze, 52, from Haringey. Pamela is the Manager of Studio 306 Collective CIC, a social enterprise that helps those recovering from mental health issues through the creative arts.

North East and Yorkshire

David Gregory, 28, from Blyth. David is a primary school teacher who aims to strengthen and celebrate his local community in Blyth through practical projects with his pupils.

Amelia Thompson, 12, from Dronfield Woodhouse. Amelia was caught up in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.

North West

Saeed Atcha, 21, from Bolton. Saeed founded a youth-led charity called Xplode that teaches young people employable skills and gives them experience in the field of journalism.

Shaneil Hodges, 15, from Manchester. Shaneil was the 2017 winner of Manchester’s ‘Be Proud’ award for bringing communities together. A member of the organisation ‘Reclaim’, Shaneil works to break down barriers and give young working class people a voice.

Scotland

Amy Wright, 26, from Annan. Amy is Chair of Board of Directors for the Usual Place café in Dumfries, which provides employment training and support for young people aged 16-25 with special needs.

Wales

Zoe Arundell, 20, from Penycraig. Zoe has been volunteering with Valley Kids since the age of 13, and attended as a young person herself from age six. She met Prince Harry and Ms. Markle on their recent visit to Cardiff.

They will join 200 guests from organisations which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association with, 100 pupils from two local schools and 500 members of The Royal Household. They will watch the arrivals of the Bride and Groom and their wedding guests at the Chapel and will see the Carriage Procession as it departs from the Castle.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available!

The Queen’s Reception for New Commonwealth Heads of Government

Thursday 19th April, 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will host a lunchtime reception for New Commonwealth Heads of Government in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 19th April, 2018.

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The Queen’s Dinner at Buckingham Palace

Thursday 19th April 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, will host The Queen’s Dinner at Buckingham Palace on the evening of Thursday 19th April, 2018.

Her Majesty, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will receive Commonwealth Heads of Government and their spouses in the Blue Drawing Room, where the evening will commence with a drinks reception. The dinner will take place in the Picture Gallery where Her Majesty will give a speech.

Members of the Royal Family who will be in attendance include The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke of Kent, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Princess Michael of Kent.

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The Queen will host the CHOGM Formal Opening at Buckingham Palace

Thursday 19th April 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Formal Opening in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace on the morning of Thursday 19th April, 2018.

Members of the Royal Family who will be in attendance include The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal, The Countess of Wessex, The Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

During the Ceremony, Her Majesty will give a speech and declare CHOGM formally open. The Prince of Wales will give words of welcome to guests who will include Heads of Government, The Commonwealth Secretary-General, High Commissioners, Foreign Ministers, alongside representatives from Commonwealth organisations, faith leaders and CHOGM forum delegates.

The Heads of Government will be welcomed to Buckingham Palace by a Guard of Honour, a Regimental Band, a Corps of Drums and Commonwealth flag bearers.

The Ceremony will reflect the overall CHOGM theme of ‘Towards a Common Future’ with a focus on youth. The National Anthem will be performed by Emeli Sande, a British singer songwriter of Zambian heritage. The compere will be Reeta Chakrabarti. Stories of the Commonwealth will be told by PJ Cole, a Queen’s Young Leader and Krystle Reid, Commonwealth Young Person of the Year. The ceremony will feature cultural performances to celebrate talent across the regions of the Commonwealth. Speeches will be given by the UK Prime Minister, the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Malta, as the outgoing Commonwealth Chair-in-Office.

In keeping with the CHOGM tradition, the Ceremony will conclude with the family photograph. A 53 gun salute will be fired by King’s Troop in Green Park to ceremonially mark the opening of CHOGM, and the 53 current members of the Commonwealth.

After the Heads of Government have arrived at Buckingham Palace, the Guard of Honour, Regimental Band, Corps of Drums and Commonwealth flag bearers will process from the Forecourt down The Mall to take up position in Friary Court at St James’s Palace, ahead of the formal welcome by the Prime Minister and the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

The military procession will be followed by a music and dance performance which will take place at the junction at Marlborough Road, giving members of the public an opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth. The cultural performance will be led by Kinetika Bloco, a youth charity performance group which is based at the Southbank Centre.

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THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

ROYAL WEDDING CHARITABLE DONATIONS

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement and are keen that as many people as possible benefit from this generosity of spirit. The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift.

Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have personally selected seven organisations they would like to support, reflecting their shared values.

Prince Harry and Ms. Markle do not have any formal relationships with the charities chosen. The couple have chosen charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces. Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work.

More information is available at www.royal.uk/wedding-charity-donations.

The charities chosen by Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are:

CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association)

The Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA) supports children growing up with HIV and their families, across the UK and Ireland. The charity aims to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people with HIV and to create a more hopeful and optimistic future for them, ensuring they achieve their greatest potential.

Dr Amanda Williams, Chair of CHIVA, said: “We are delighted and honoured that Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen to recognise our work supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people living with HIV in the UK and Ireland. We are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of the complex issues for young people growing up with HIV. We are a very small charity and through our work we support over 1,000 young people living with HIV. All donations will make a significant difference to our programmes of work and lead to direct improvements in the lives of these young people.”

Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. The charity helps people directly out of homelessness, working side by side with thousands of people each year to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “We are hugely grateful that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are asking the public to support Crisis as they celebrate their wedding. Homelessness is one of the most urgent issues of our time, but at Crisis we know what it takes to end it. Donations will help us to support more people to leave homelessness behind through our housing, employment, education and advice services across the country, and to campaign for the changes needed to solve the homelessness crisis once and for all.”

Myna Mahila Foundation

Myna Mahila Foundation is a charity which empowers women in Mumbai’s urban slums, by providing them with a trusted network, where they are supported professionally and personally to help them grow as individuals and businesswomen. Myna offers women from these communities stable employment close to their homes, and breaks taboos around menstrual hygiene by offering women access to low cost sanitary pads and accurate information at their doorstep. Providing mothers in the community with these products helps them equip their daughters to stay in school. The pads are manufactured and distributed by women from these communities. The charity also empowers its staff through training in women’s health, English, Math, and life skills such as self-defence.

Ms. Markle saw the work of the Foundation first hand when she visited the charity last year, and wrote about it in Time Magazine.

Suhani Jalota, who founded Myna Mahila in 2015, said: “Myna Mahila Foundation is delighted to be a part of this special occasion for Ms. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. This support will enable us to expand our reach into more urban slums in Mumbai, empowering local women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities.”

Scotty’s Little Soldiers

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is the charity for bereaved Armed Forces children. Inspired by the experience of war widow Nikki Scott, the charity offers vital support to children who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers Founder, Nikki Scott, said: “To have been personally chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is an incredible honour for Scotty’s Little Soldiers and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity. Having met Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace last year, I know that the Armed Forces and looking after the children our heroes have left behind is close to his heart.

“Scotty’s Little Soldiers offers a vital support network for children, who at such a young age, have already gone through so much. Just having the opportunity to spend time with other children who have gone through something similar or receiving a gift on the anniversary of their parent’s death can help reassure them that they are not alone.”

StreetGames

StreetGames uses sport to change lives across the UK, helping people and communities to become healthier, safer and more successful. StreetGames uses sport to empower young people to kick-start a cycle of positive change in their own lives that resonates across their communities.

Jane Ashworth OBE, CEO of StreetGames, said: “All of us at StreetGames are absolutely thrilled to have been personally chosen by Prince Harry and Ms. Markle. It’s a great honour to have our work using sport to change lives and communities recognised in this way.”

Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage is a national marine conservation and campaigning charity, which inspires, unites and empowers communities to take action to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife.

Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Surfers Against Sewage is thrilled to be one of the charities chosen to benefit from donations marking the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle. Our work as a national marine conservation charity empowers tens of thousands of volunteers annually to protect beaches for everyone. We are currently focused on tackling plastic pollution and this support will help us move towards our vision of Plastic Free Coastlines.”

The Wilderness Foundation UK

The Wilderness Foundation UK promotes the benefits and enjoyment of wild nature. Through the great outdoors, the charity helps build resilience in vulnerable teenagers, introduces rural employment to urban youth, and brings science to life.

Jo Roberts, CEO of The Wilderness Foundation UK, said: “We are deeply touched and honoured that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have chosen to support The Wilderness Foundation and its beneficiaries. As the world’s population grows exponentially the planet’s remaining wild places and resources are coming under increasing threat. It has never been more important for us as humans to protect the planet that gives us life. Whilst teaching conservation values, we in turn use the positive power of nature to support and recharge the lives of challenged and vulnerable young people and adults.”

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available!

The Duchess of Cambridge is to Have Third Child at St Mary’s Hospital

Media barriers are being installed, as it is confirmed that the Duchess of Cambridge is planning to have her third baby at the Lindo Wing, the private ward at St Mary’s Hospital in London where The Duchess had both Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The team will be overseen by Alan Farthing, the Queen’s surgeon-gynaecologist, and Guy Thorpe-Beeston, surgeon-gynaecologist to the royal household, who both helped to deliver Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

As we look forward to the new Royal arrival, we look back at our Royal Baby Specials and the arrivals of Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

PRINCE HARRY TO BECOME PATRON OF WALKING WITH
THE WOUNDED’S‘WALK OF AMERICA’

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, LONDON

Wednesday 11th April 2018

Prince Harry is to become Patron of ‘Walk Of America‘, the latest expedition from the armed forces charity Walking With The Wounded, and will formally launch the expedition at an event in London on Wednesday, 11 April.

This summer a team of six veterans from the USA and the United Kingdom will walk 1,000 miles from the west to the east coast of America in 14 weeks. Starting in LA on 2 June and finishing in New York on 6 September, the team will walk by some of America’s most iconic cities and landmarks.

The Walk Of America will create a platform to tell the stories of wounded veterans and their individual journeys from injury to the present day, as well as encourage a wider conversation around veteran mental health. The expedition will also raise vital funds for veterans both sides of the Atlantic.

Every veteran taking part in the expedition faces challenges, and will have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged since serving. Two members of the UK team are currently homeless living in a veteran homeless residence, supported by Walking With The Wounded.

During the launch Prince Harry, the Expedition Patron, will meet the three British team members, as well as make a speech to formally launch the Walk Of America. The American Ambassador to the UK Robert Wood Johnson will also be attending.

Walking With The Wounded supports a pathway for vulnerable veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. They include those who are without a home, socially isolated, with mental health difficulties or within the Criminal Justice System.

Supported by the Endeavour Fund, and a number of corporate sponsors including Starbucks and the NFL, this expedition is designed tell the stories of the armed forces community in both countries.

Generations of servicemen and women from the USA and UK have fought alongside each other, and Prince Harry believes that just as countries fight together, more can be done to recover together too. The Walk Of America aims to strengthen ties between the two nations and further develop learning around the recovery and wellbeing of wounded veterans so both nations can work more closely together in developing rehabilitation.

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THE QUEEN WILL VISIT THE KING GEORGE VI DAY CENTRE

Windsor

Thursday 12th April 2018

Her Majesty The Queen will visit the King George VI Day Centre in Windsor, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Centre’s opening and the 70th anniversary of the Windsor Old People’s Welfare Association. The Queen will tour the facility and meet some of the local residents who use it.

The Windsor Old People’s Welfare Association (WOPWA), a registered charity, was formed in 1948 to help the widows, widowers, and elderly relatives of Windsor residents who lost their lives during the two World Wars. The aim was to build a day centre on land purchased in Clarence Road, Windsor. One of the first financial donations was made by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

In 1958 the building was completed and Her Majesty granted permission for the hall to be named after her father, the late King George VI. The Queen opened the premises in July 1958 and subsequently returned to mark WOPWA’s 25th and 50th anniversaries.

Today, the Centre operates as a lunch and social club, providing a safe and friendly environment for older Windsor residents. Members are encouraged to maintain their independence and wellbeing through activities and social interaction.

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