Historic donation from Mildura
Latest News Saturday 5th November 2022, 11:56am
THE Ben Fund has enjoyed a totally unexpected boost from Down Under…. Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund chairman Paul Ackroyd couldn't believe it when he received a A$5,000 donation from the Mildura Motorcycle Club in Australia.
He revealed: "It is an amazing gesture, it converted to a wonderful £2,678 and we can't thank the people in Mildura enough.
"They wanted to say thank you for the help we give to Australian riders who have been injured while racing over here."
The Mildura club was formed by 35 keen motorcyclists in 1947 and rapidly grew in strength and has long been one of the major speedway promoters in Australia, producing a stream of world-class riders starting with Phil Crump, to Jason Lyons, Phil's son Jason and Leigh Adams and several others.
They have also played host to overseas world champions, the latest being three-times number one Tai Woffinden who will compete in their who will compete in their 75th anniversary post Christmas double-header on Thursday, December 29 and the following night.
Committee members Jason Stewart, a former speedway and long track rider, and Brendon Gledhill were the two club members who played major roles in the surprise decision to send money to the SRBF and were fully aware of how much help the Ben Fund has given to riders from the Victorian city over the years.
It is believed to be the first such donation from an overseas organisation in the Fund's history and Paul said: "They sent a note that it was in recognition of the way we have looked after Australian riders here in England when they have needed our help."
