What BBRF do and why – by Andy Arscott, Founder
It was the end of the summer of 2011, and the roads were still full.
The southwest of the UK, where I live, had had its fair share of motorcycle accidents across the year, but then in the space of just 5 weeks there was a spate of 6 serious motorcycle accidents, 3 of them fatal and all within a 20-mile radius of my home.
Across the next few months, it became apparent that there was very little support for either rider or family in the short or long term. Government financial support could take months, ongoing medical support, although amazing, was minimal and dealing with the legal system was incredibly stressful and drawn out.
One of the riders didn’t have life insurance, the funeral was minimal through necessity, the family couldn’t pay their rent, his bank accounts were frozen and all this on top of losing their loved one.
I started looking on the internet, initially just out of interest, to see what support was available and to my shock and surprise, I found there was nothing out there for family or rider to help them through. I just thought this was wrong and at that moment, the idea of the British Biker Relief Foundation (BBRF) was born.
At that time, I didn’t know where to start but I knew what I wanted to achieve. To support motorcyclists and their families across the UK after serious motorcycle collisions and fatalities. It sounds simple but it became apparent very quickly that just offering one type of support, be that financial or emotional wouldn’t be enough, as everyone’s experience and needs are completely unique to them.
So, I decided there and then that the charity would be arranged to always consider every genuine request for assistance to best support their personal needs.
Across the years and with the help of our support members, volunteers and small but incredibly dedicated team running the organisation, we’ve been able to help 1000’s of individuals and families.
The ways we’ve helped have been varied, including:
- some friendly advice,
- providing mobility aids and wheelchairs,
- home and garden conversions,
- vehicles and adaptations to those vehicles,
- children’s books,
- helping deal with loss,
- small grants,
- funeral assistance,
- physiotherapy,
- school clothes,
- respite holidays,
- putting people in contact with qualified and passionate motorcycle orientated lawyers like the Major Trauma Group,
- and all-important counselling for adults and children.
Through all these things and more, the BBRF have been here to help whenever we can.
BBRF Biker Support, its just what we do.
