The Riders in the Sky (RITS) event, held at Glastonbury Football Club on Sunday, 25th August, has successfully raised £8,397.79 in support of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. This brings the total funds raised by the event to an impressive £109,995.75.

The annual event was created in memory of Lee Baker, a beloved friend, brother, and father, who tragically lost his life on 8th November 2010. Lee was well-known for his passion for charity work and motorcycles, and the event serves as a tribute to his life, bringing together his friends and the wider community to celebrate his memory while supporting a worthy cause.

The day began with a motorcycle 'ride out' at 10am, where bikers paid £5 to ride along some of Lee's favourite roads. The main event kicked off at 12.30pm and featured a family fun day with children's entertainment, food and drink stalls, a raffle, and an auction with prizes donated by local businesses.

Live music was a major highlight, with performances on two stages. The main stage featured local bands including Electric Temple, The Pressure, The Back River Rats, and the Portway Blues Band. DJ Andy Maynard took over on the inside stage from 7pm, keeping the energy high until late in the evening.

Despite a quieter turnout due to the weather and a change of venue, the RITS team expressed their surprise and gratitude for the success of the event. "We did not anticipate such a high turnout," said a spokesperson. "We are still unsure how we manage to pull this off every year, but we truly have the best team and the most supportive community."

The funds raised are crucial for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, which relies entirely on public donations. Responding to the support, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance team said, "This is absolutely unreal! The support you guys show to DSAA is so appreciated - year on year you smash this event! We love you all and thank you so much for your amazing support yet again!"

The RITS team emphasised the importance of community support, stating, "Without all of you who support us, spectate, join the ride out, have stalls, and volunteer, we would not be able to accomplish this annually."

Looking ahead, the team is already planning for next year's event and promises to continue their fundraising efforts with smaller events throughout the year. "We are immensely proud of our community and our team. See you for RITS 2025!"