An Important Statement from WTTR

We are aware that one or two individuals are not happy that WTTR changed its status earlier this year and became a motorcycle club. Instead of approaching us directly to ask us for our reasons, these people have taken it upon themselves to disparage WTTR and spread misinformation about us to other bikers.

WTTR would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight so that everyone is clear about what we have done and why we've done it.

From the beginning the intentions of WTTR have always been simple. These are:

1. To remember servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf in conflicts both past and present.
2. To raise money for charity – primarily those who support UK armed forces veterans, military personnel who have been injured, and the families of those killed in conflicts both at home and abroad.
3. To ride with respect for our fellow bikers.

Due to the nature of the events that WTTR participates in – bike shows, Gala days, military parades, 'one-off' ride-outs and our own WTTR event in October – there is often interaction between the general public and our motorcycles. Earlier this year WTTR had to examine every aspect of these events in detail. We had to consider what would happen if something went wrong, for example, a child falling off of a stationary motorcycle while sitting on it to have their photograph taken. Unfortunately we live in a culture where people do not think twice about suing someone else. So it made sense to us that WTTR has Liability Insurance that covers the events we organise or participate in. 

As a not-for-profit organisation WTTR wants the maximum amount of money it raises to go to good causes – specifically poppyscotland – rather than it being spent on administration. As anyone who runs their own business will know, Liability Insurance is expensive. We talked to the British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) who informed us that if WTTR became a motorcycle club then we would be eligible to be covered by their Liability Insurance for a very reasonable annual fee. For us, it was a no-brainer! 

Not wishing to make too much of a fuss about this change of status Jim Thomson, Karen Holmes and myself formed a small committee. We asked Faye Gray to join us because we knew she would keep us right with the club finances. For clarification WTTR does not have a president nor a vice-president, and none of us get paid for any of the work or time that we put into WTTR. The committee is purely administrative and its function is to:

• Liaise with the British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) and, if necessary, its insurance company.

• Promote WTTR to others and obtain invitations to events where we can raise money for charity.

• Carry out pre-event risk assessments, including notifying Police Scotland, arranging marshalling and organising bike parking etc. Completing written forms for the BMF should they be required.

• Actively participate in WTTR events, man WTTR stands and help raise money for charity.

• Co-ordinate with key personnel from poppyscotland and other organisations on WTTR activities and money raised etc.

• Source, order and distribute WTTR merchandise. Keep WTTR social media channels and website up-to-date so that individuals and supporters know what is happening and are able to make informed decisions as to whether they participate in an event or not.

In summary all WTTR events are open events. You do not have to pay an annual membership fee nor be a member of WTTR to attend one of our events. All we ask is that you support us in any way you can in order to help us to help others.

Thanks for attention and your amazing support.

– Derek Green; WTTR Media and Communications