East Midlands Bikers heading to National Memorial Arboretum to remember armed forces personnel
The event involves motorcyclists from across the UK
Thousands of bikers from across the UK, including the east midlands, will ride into Staffordshire today to remember the armed forces who've died in the line of duty.
They're heading to the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum - with many of the riders veterans, serving personnel, or family members of the fallen.
Tim Simms from the group Bikers Blessing Notts and Derby, is leading a group from Ilkeston to the Arboretum, it's his 3rd year attending:
"I think last year there were around 7000 motorcyclists that came come from across the UK and Europe to be there, and it could be even higher this year. We've had people coming over from France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, all over the place, all coming to pay their respects to fallen service personnel and to see the memorial wall. It's incredibly moving.
"Leading a group this year means a lot to me, I want people to be able to share in the experience that I've had over the last couple of years, to see that number of people all paying their respects and hear them when we have the the act of worship, which is only very brief, led by one of the chaplains.
"It's really, very moving for me."
Martin Dickinson is the founder Ride to the Wall - he says the event remains incredibly poignant:
"It's just an occasion where everybody feels incredibly proud.
"A lot of the time wives have said the event has allowed their husband or wife to be themselves.
"It's a massive brotherhood for a lot of veterans. It allows them the opportunity to let their shields down as they're stood with like-minded people.
"It impacts on three generations."
Since its inception in 2008, more than £1.83 million has been donated by Ride to the Wall to support the year-round work of the Arboretum.