Our memorial – Our mission

Sunday September 13^th at the National Memorial Arboretum started with low cloud and plenty of rain.  As 475 bikers gathered on the outskirts of Burton On Trent the skies slowly cleared and the roar of bikers could be heard across the Arboretum.  The ride in was the work of Wheels for Wishes and their No One Rides Alone campaign.  They have been the most amazing support to this last leg of the journey for rallying bikers from across the country to ride in and honour those who have lost their lives to suicide.  We are very grateful to The Outlaws MC South Staffs supported by Saxons Veterans MC for all their help.  Without them the opening ceremony would not have had such an impact.

With about 500 people gathered at the memorial we started with a small opening address, followed by prayers and a dedication from the padre.  We finished our minute silence with the sound of pipes, the lament Flowers of the Forest slowly fading into the distance. A quiet dignity and reflection had settled on the crowd as the trumpeter started The Funeral by Ennio Morricone, a poignant piece of music that accompanied the laying of the wreaths by family and friends.  A final address by Col (retd) Nick Millen OBE closed the ceremony and after we enjoyed an opportunity to talk to those who had come so far both physically and emotionally to be with us.

We started this mission to build a memorial but instead have built a community of those who have experienced the pain, grief and guilt of a loved one lost to suicide.

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