Diary & Travel Report by Simon Milward

Motorcycle Outreach

Thursday, May 09, 2002

Reaching out around the world with motorcycles

Motorcycles saving lives will be more commonly heard since a new organization was formed in Ohio USA on April 24th 2002. Motorcycle Outreach (MOR) is a charitable organization to fund initiatives for taking crucial health services, like childrens' vaccinations, by motorcycle to poor remote areas.

The co-founders are Robert Rasor, President of the American Motorcyclist Association, Simon Milward, former General Secretary of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations now on the US leg of his fundraising motorcycle ride round the world, and attorney Tim Owens of Owens & Krivda. Application will be made to the Internal Revenue Service requesting tax exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code which status, when granted, will date back to the date of the organization of MOR.

Accordingly, all donations to MOR made after the date of organization will be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law once the application for 501 (c) (3) status has been approved by the IRS.

The idea came as a result of Milward's efforts to find funding to bring the award-winning African idea to Asia. In Africa a 400% delivery rate improvement was achieved using zero-breakdown motorcycle fleets. A South Asian project called Health for All on the island of Flores implements a three year pilot project this month. Since an AMA member was already working on a motorcycles against poison initiative in Nepal it was decided to combine efforts.

"As I rode through successive Asian countries medical workers without prompt asked for the African system. Motorcycles can play an important and massive role. It's great news for motorcycling and for fellow human beings. Tax deductible donations can start now," declared Milward.

Check's payable to Motorcycle Outreach can be sent to: Tim Owens, Motorcycle Outreach c/o AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington Ohio 43147. Donators of $200+ should include a sticker and web address for publicity purposes surrounding www.millennium-ride.com. Individuals giving $20+ get a pin and email updates.

Simon Milward, on the road