A sunny Sunday afternoon in September saw the first Ride to Remember Festival to be held in Cyprus. The location was the Mandria Beach Bar on the Paphos coast, a fitting setting for this unique event, the gathering together of bikers from all over the island in order to raise funds for the Cyprus Alzheimer Association during World Alzheimer Week.
The Ride to Remember Festival is a global charity event held in September each year, in which bikers participate to support those living with dementia.
The shimmering sea provided the perfect backdrop as bikers from all the districts of Cyprus assembled to prepare for the Ride to Remember from Mandria to the Medieval castle of Paphos. The rumble of the bikes themselves was unforgettable as they prepared to set off in convoy, including many from different motorcycle clubs and groups wearing their distinctive club jackets or t shirts. It was certainly a sight to remember, consisting of more than 100 bikes.
On their arrival at Paphos harbour the motorcyclists were greeted by Chrystalla Kontou, chairperson of the Paphos branch of the Cyprus Alzheimer Association, the member of Parliament, Mr Charalambos Pazaros, and a representative of the Municipality of Paphos, Mr George Sophocleous.
The organisers of the event were Mrs Chrystalla Kontou and Mr Andreas Christodoulou of the Paphos branch of the Cyprus Alzheimer Association.
The official sponsors were Harley Davidson, Motul/Bike Alert, MPOUKETA BALONIA, the Muncipality of Paphos and Mobile Motorcycle. The promotion of the event was undertaken by Fotokinisis, Rock FM, and the company Red Grass. Mr Alex Natioti’s music band Zero Effect kept the audience of approximately 300 bikers at Mandria entertained with its wonderful rock tunes late into the evening.
The event was very successful, raising almost 4,000 Euros from very generous donations and the sale of unique design t shirts, providing a great sense of relief for the charity, and thus allowing us to continue the much needed nursing help and support for those living with dementia in the Paphos District.
The charity would like to take the opportunity to thank all the participants who supported the Ride to Remember and ensured that the event was such a great success. It was a truly unforgettable day.
