Smith to buy bike for Africa at Day of Champions
Posted on Aug 25, 2015 by George Penny
British MotoGP™ star Bradley Smith will be launching this year’s Riders for Health Day of Champions auction with a tribute to one of the founders of the event, Jeanette Wragg.
Jeanette, who knew Bradley from his very first days in racing, sadly passed away in March this year. She was one of the founders of Riders for Health’s Day of Champions, an event that has now become the recognised start to the annual British MotoGP weekend.Ahead of the famous Day of Champions auction, Bradley will make an incredible donation to UK charity Riders for Health in memory of Jeanette – a motorcycle that will be used in Africa to reach thousands of people with life-saving health care.
Bradley will be donating the motorcycle to one of Riders for Health’s programmes, and hopes that others will contribute to buying a second bike to be sent together with his to Africa. These two motorcycles would then be used by health workers to help them reach the most rural communities with health care. A health worker on a motorcycle can reach six times more people and travel four times further.
Bradley Smith:
"It’s with great honour that I will open this year’s Day Of Champions Auction and it’s all thanks to a very special lady. Jeanette's hard work and determination for Africa is something that I will never forget, and it feels very special to be giving something back to Jeanette and Riders for Health after an amazing 10 years knowing each other. I hope people join me in this amazing project so we can have 2 bikes heading to Africa."
Andrea Coleman, CEO and co-founder of Riders for Health:
“We are so grateful to Bradley for this incredible donation and I know that Jeanette would be so proud to know what he is doing for her and for Africa. Jeanette’s work has placed Riders for Health, MotoGP and the whole motorcycling community at the forefront of a great humanitarian movement. Day of Champions is her legacy – her gift to the MotoGP fans and the millions of people across Africa who are supported by the money raised each year."
As well as donating the motorcycle, Bradley will also be taking part in the annual Day of Champions auction, in which all of the stars of MotoGP auction off incredible pieces of MotoGP memorabilia and experiences. Amongst other items, Bradley will be auctioning a pair of race boots and an exclusive signed Tissot watch, and custom airbrushed 38 sign from 3pm on the main Day of Champions stage.
Tickets for Riders for Health’s Day of Champions event can be bought on the day from the Silverstone ticket office in car park 49. Tickets cost £18 for adults and are free for children aged 15 and under.
All of the money raised through the Day of Champions auction supports Riders for Health’s life-saving work across Africa. Riders is the official charity of MotoGP™ and provides health workers in Africa with access to reliable motorcycles and ambulances so that they can reach remote communities with vital health care.
