AROUND THE COUNTIES CHARIT Y NEWS AUGUST 2026
MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY BIKE4LIFE RIDE OUT AND FESTIVAL
Thousands of bikers from across the region came together on Sunday 17th May 2026 to support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at this year’s Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival.
The much-loved annual event saw around 3,000 motorcyclists take part in the Ride Out from Meole Brace Park & Ride in Shrewsbury, travelling along the M54 in a spectacular convoy, before arriving at the Bike4Life Festival at Weston Park.
The event, delivered in partnership with West Mercia Police and National Highways, once again highlighted the importance of biker safety whilst raising vital funds to help Midlands Air Ambulance Charity continue providing advanced pre-hospital emergency care across the Midlands.
This year’s event also marked a major milestone for the charity, with more than £1 million now raised through the festival since its launch in 2010. The £91,000 raised at this year’s event pushed the total past the seven-figure mark.
Supporters enjoyed a full day of entertainment at Weston Park including live music, stunt displays, trade stands, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. Visitors also had the opportunity to
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CHARITY NEWS - SEPTEMBER 2026 THE ESTHER PROJECT’S
A Leamington group that works to support vulnerable women in the community is partnering with a local independent bakery for their new skills training initiative.
REINTEGRATE WOMEN WITH VITAL NEW SKILLS FOR THE WORKPLACE addiction, transitioning from prison, or experiencing homelessness.
Ladies will spend a day volunteering at Corner Cottage Bakery in Leamington as part of The Esther Project’s She Rises employability pathway scheme. Here the focus will be on learning a variety of techniques, including baking, front of house and hospitality before putting them into practice and selling the baked goods in Esther Women’s Hub the next day.
Corner Cottage Bakery owner Sarah Thornber, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support The Esther Project’s She Rises initiative by offering women the opportunity to spend time in our bakery, learn new skills, and gain hands-on experience in a welcoming and supportive environment. My role will be to guide and train the ladies in a range of baking skills, including creating cakes, mastering the art of croissant making and learning the craft of sourdough bread”.
The Esther Project is a gender-specific organisation supporting those who have experienced trauma and adversity. It does this through a range of services, including counselling, one-on-one support, creative activities, employability opportunities and drop-in sessions for women facing mental health challenges, escaping domestic abuse, recovering from
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Lianne said of She Rises: “This course is just the beginning of their journey. We are already looking at developing future training modules with other incredible local businesses such as Cena Cacau and the course will also include additional modules such as interview techniques and CV writing, preparing the women for the world of work”.
For further information about how The Esther Project can help, visit:
https://www.theestherproject.co.uk/get-support
meet the charity’s clinical crew and learn more about the lifesav- ing work carried out by Midlands Air Ambulance Charity every day.
To learn more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving work, visit
www.midlandsairambulance.com and follow the charity on social media.
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