A CONVOY of motorbikes will ride across Dorset later this month to raise funds for kidney patients in the county.

The bikers will head out from the Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne and ride across the county to Henstridge Airfield in Somerset in a bid to raise funds for renal patients at the Dorset County Hospital and its satellite unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

The ride will be followed by an evening of entertainment to raise funds for the cause.

Organisers are hoping to attract around 1,000 bikers for the event to create a spectacle as they head out on the road.

The ride, on Sunday, August 30, has been organised by Dawn Stokes and will realise the dream of friend Spencer Furley, 39, who has dialysis at the unit three times a week.

Dawn said the event was Spencer’s way of giving something back to all those who had supported him over the years.

She said: “He wanted to give something back to the people that have taken care of him over the years and had dreamt of organising a motorbike convoy, so it seemed the ideal thing to do.”

She is keen to get as many riders as possible to take part so it makes a real spectacle and raises the maximum amount of funds for the renal unit.

Dawn is also hopeful the event will raise awareness of organ donation and the plight of dialysis patients who are waiting for life-changing transplants.

She added: “The main thing is to have fun safely and join together to raise money.”

When the convoy arrives at Henstridge Airfield, which has been provided as a venue by owner Geoff Jarvis, there will be an evening of entertainment open to the public with a barbecue, hog roast and refreshments from 6pm.

People not involved in the convoy are more than welcome to come along and enjoy the event.

There will be a chance to check out all the motorbikes taking part in the convoy as well as classic bikes, displays, model aircraft displays and live music from the likes of Hashtag, Hot Lava Java and Heffer.

There will also be a grand raffle with the first prize a flight for two for 30 minutes over the Blackmore Vale on the night of the convoy.

The convoy will be led by Spencer, who will be joined by Sergeant Dave Stroud of Dorset Police to ensure it is as safe as possible.

There will also be safety riders marshalling the ride.

Spencer said he was touched that Dawn had organised the event in his name and he hoped it would raise much-needed funds for fellow kidney patients in Dorset.

He said: “It really would help the unit because they need some more gear.”

For more information about the event and how to register to take part visit kidneyfundraisingconvoy.co.uk