MOTORCYCLISTS are revving up for the upcoming second Action on Addiction ride from Weymouth to Exmouth.

Last year more than 100 bikers geared up and took to the roads for the charity ride and managed to raise just over £2,400 for Action on Addiction’s rehabilitation centre, Clouds House.

Organiser John Bramble, from Chickerell, launched the event in memory of his son Craig who he lost to solvent abuse in November 2001.

John said: “This is something that is very close to our hearts. The ride is all set for Sunday, April 3.

"We leave from Southcoast Motorcycles on the Granby Industrial Estate at 10.30am. We will stop off at West Bay for 45 minutes for refreshments before setting off again to Exmouth. We currently have 73 riders involved and 130 interested.

"I am hoping to beat last year in every way possible with more riders and more money raised. The weather threw everything at us last year – it was wet and windy and just horrible weather so fingers crossed for this year.

“We are also selling Action on Addiction t-shirts and pins to help boost funds.

“Clouds House do a great job, what they do is absolutely amazing and it’s really important to keep that going.

“Anyone is welcome to greet us at West Bay to cheer us on.”

Last year John said they received a very warm welcome at West Bay and in Exmouth, with people waving, cheering, taking pictures and even filming videos on their arrival – with one of the videos receiving 5,000 views by the next morning.

John added: “On November 7 2001 I lost my son Craig Bramble due to solvent abuse. This was a huge loss to the family. A friend of mine, Lorna McKenna, asked me would I organise a charity ride for her 50th birthday as she wanted to support a charity. At the time of asking this coincided with a biker friend who I know had just started work for Clouds House.

"After hearing what great work they do for people with addiction problems, myself and Lorna came to agreement that this would be a good cause to support. Clouds House are supported by the charity Action on Addiction who themselves were overwhelmed to hear we are going to organise this motorcycle ride for their charity.”

Anyone wanting to donate can visit justgiving.com/John-Bramble/ or follow their progress on their Facebook page: Charity Ride For Action On Addiction In Support of Clouds House.