FRAN COSGRAVE LAUNCHES VIRGIN UNITE HEAVEN''S ANGELS CHARITY INITIATIVE AT NEC MOTORCYCLE SHOW
27 October 2005 - International Motorcycle and Scooter Show

Reality TV star Fran Cosgrave helps to launch Virgin Unite’s Heaven’s Angels charity on the opening day of the International Motorcycle & Scooter Show at Birmingham’s NEC

The former I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! contestant and Celebrity Love Island winner is a keen biker. He is pictured with the Uhuru motorcycle used by the Riders charity to deliver medical supplies and aid in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Heaven’s Angels initiative is aiming to unite many of Britain’s 1.4 million active motorcyclists with a massive ride-out to raise money for medical motorcycle transport charities. Virgin Unite is the charitable arm of the Virgin group of companies and the UK “Last Mile” ride out is planned to set off from Richard Branson’s Oxfordshire home in July 2006.

The 180,000 visitors expected at this year’s International Motorcycle & Scooter Show will be asked to text their interest to be kept up to date with Heaven’s Angel news.

“This is a fantastic initiative and I’ll definitely be taking part,” said 27-year old Cosgrave. “By providing the right equipment to deliver medical services and supplies and teaching people how to care for that equipment a lot can be achieved and millions of lives can be saved. We estimate that if someone donates just £5, they will help to save 20 lives that year which isn’t a bad investment! I would urge people to come to the show at Birmingham and find out how they can get involved next summer.”

The International Motorcycle and Scooter Show runs until Sunday 6 November at the NEC. Details of the Virgin Unite initiative will be available on the Riders charity stand.

Do You Want To Be A Heaven’s Angel?

(And don’t worry - we won’t mind if your halo isn’t exactly straight!)

Fancy a day out with your mates, riding on some of the most beautiful roads in Britain, sharing a drink (of the soft variety, of course) with Richard Branson, at the same time as raising money for fellow bikers in Africa, who are going that ‘last mile’ to save thousands of lives? Bit of a no-brainer, isn’t it?

Heaven’s Angels is a campaign, being kicked off by Virgin Unite, to help solve the critical problem of the “Last Mile” in Sub Saharan Africa. There is often enough funding for treatment, education and prevention materials – however, most people cannot be reached as they live in areas where there is no transport that can make it across the rough terrain. Hence, 16,000 people still die every single day from treatable and preventable diseases.

We aim to build awareness about the problem of the “Last Mile” and raise funds to create an army of health workers on motorbikes that can go that last mile. Each rider can reach and so save up to 20,000 lives every single year – all for only £5,000 a year (plus you are giving someone a job!). That means if someone donates £5, they will help to save 20 lives that year. Can’t beat that for an investment!

The Heaven’s Angels need you (and your motorbike!)

In order to raise awareness and funds, we will be holding three amazing rides in the UK (May 2006), US (July 2006) and Nigeria (November 2006). If you’re interested in taking part in one of these rides (or if you’re feeling a bit flash – all three!) log on to www.virginunite.com/heavensangels . Details are a little sketchy at present but we thought you might like to start getting excited about the rides now – talking about them down the pub, getting your mates involved, start polishing your helmet – who knows? Immediately on the website you’ll have the ability to register your interest, we’ll then send you e-mails with details as they start getting pinned down.

Now for the science bit:

Where does the money go?

100% of funds raised through the rides and any sponsorship will go directly to grassroots organisations who will be helping us mobilise health workers. The first pilot will be launched in Nigeria in November 2006. Virgin, to help get this pilot off the ground is contributing all business expertise to ensure it is run like a social business with ongoing “revenue streams”, which once generated 100% will be put back into expanding the project and keeping it running.

One of our core partners is Riders for Health, who have successfully been mobilising health workers in Africa for 15 years. You can learn more about them at www.riders.org.

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