ARAI AND RAF ASSOCIATION TEAM UP TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE WINGS APPEAL

To commemorate what the few did for so many, 70 years ago.

Phoenix Distribution, the UK importer of Arai helmets, has teamed up with the Royal Air Forces Association to produce a one-off Arai RX-7 GP motorcycle helmet. This year the RAF Association are commemorating 70 years since the Battle of Britain took place in the skies over southern England with the Wings Appeal; this was one of the most important moments in British history and proved a decisive turning point in the Second World War.

One very lucky motorcyclist will have the opportunity to own this piece of Arai and RAF history – for just £1! Starting on Wednesday 26th May, 2010 and finishing Friday 19th November, 2010 a single £1 text could be all it takes: text ARAI on 70099 to enter. In addition, this unique Arai RX-7 GP will be signed by Steve Plater and presented by Steve to the lucky winner on the main stage at November’s International Bike Show at the NEC in Birmingham with various RAF Association personnel present.

For those attending the forthcoming TT races, it will be available to view during the event fortnight on Arai’s Race Service in the Grandstand area and then on display at other events throughout the year. The race bred Arai RX-7 GP is the most technologically advanced motorcycle helmet Arai has ever produced, and this unique RX-7 GP wears a duck-egg blue base colour – the exact same tone as used on the bottom of the RAF’s Spitfires and Hurricanes in 1940 – as well as a pair of iconic red, white and blue roundels.

The wings, as well as being a flying officer’s badge of honour also signify the work that the RAF Association does for the whole of the RAF family. The RAF Association is an independent registered charity that presently has 75,000 members, of which 600 are Voluntary Welfare Officers. They operate three short-term respite care homes plus a network of sheltered housing and, where necessary, give help and support to serving and ex-serving members of the Royal Air Force.

Through their network of Welfare Officers they identify those who need assistance, and in turn provide support and advice undertaking 23,000 visits every year. Providing respite breaks for those with medical or welfare needs is a vital part of what RAFA does, as is offering sheltered housing. From WWII, through to the conflicts in the Falklands, Bosnia, the Gulf and Afghanistan the RAF Association continues to provide its welfare services to serving and past members of our Air Forces, their spouses and dependants.

Many of the RAF Association’s members are keen motorcyclists, and in this 70th year anniversary of the Battle of Britain are happy to see this special design created and even happier that the money it raises will go directly to the Wings Appeal. This is not the first RAF Association initiative for Phoenix and Arai in 2010; later this year both will be supporting the Red Arrows pilots and the fighter pilots from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight who are undertaking a charity scooter ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

The aim is to raise a large amount of sponsorship for the RAF Association plus various charities, including The British Disabled Flying Association, The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, Flying Scholarships for the Disabled and Fly2Help. Arai will be supplying helmets as they ride the length of Britain on 50cc scooters for a period of four to five days.

For more information on the RAF Association and the Wings appeal call 0116 266 5224 or visit www.rafa.org.uk

For more information on the Arai range call Phoenix on 01782 569800, or visit www.whyarai.co.uk