Pattaya purrs: Black Sheep Motorcycle Club’s charity ride revs up for elephantine cause
The gentle hum of motorcycle engines echoed through Pattaya as the Black Sheep Motorcycle Club, along with dozens of keen volunteers, embarked on a charity ride. Their mission? To raise funds for the Elephant Camp nestled in the heart of Pattaya.
The charity ride took place on a sunny Sunday morning, November 5. While the Black Sheep Motorcycle Club Pattaya stood as the main orchestrator of this event, the ride saw contributions from various other people and groups.
A little background about the club: The Black Sheep Motorcycle Club was established in Pattaya in 2009, under the leadership of FROG (Patrick Van Den Berghe) and Hellboy (now deceased). The original club consisted of nine members and was established to unite like-minded motorcycle riders for recreational and charitable purposes.
The club, which doesn’t identify as a 1% motorcycle club, boasts a diverse brotherhood of various nationalities, with English serving as the common language. The club rides together every Saturday and welcomes members, prospects, hang around and aspirant members who ride a minimum 650cc motorcycle.
Turning to the Elephant Run: The Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary, an eco-friendly refuge for rescued elephants located in Bang Saray, was the beneficiary of the charity run. The sanctuary operates on an ethical model, allowing elephants to live in as natural a setting as possible. This means no chains, no bullhooks, no riding and no shows. The sanctuary’s operations are largely dependent on visitors and their generous donations.
Following meticulous planning, the first Elephant Run saw over 50 motorcycle clubs and more than 150 bikes, amounting to around 200 participants, rally for this noble cause. The biker community, comprising both foreign and Thai riders, demonstrated their shared values of love, peace, and respect. Their unified dedication to the cause was evident as wallets opened wide in support of the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary.
The event was a resounding success, raising a total of 87,310 baht for the sanctuary, reported Pattaya News. The Black Sheep Motorcycle Club Pattaya expressed their gratitude to all participants for their unwavering support and friendship.
“The charity ride was not just a testament to the unity and compassion within the biker community, but also a powerful demonstration of their commitment to supporting local charities. The funds raised will go a long way in ensuring the continued care and welfare of the elephants at the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary.”
