MOTORBIKE FANATICS from Arbroath’s 45 Commando Group Royal Marines have raised over £3000 for service charities during a Memorial Motorcycle Marathon around Scotland.

The idea was born out of a conversation held between motorcyclists, Sergeant John ‘Manny’ Manuel and Major Gary Giles, during the unit’s recent tour of Afghanistan.

Sadly, Manny was killed in action during a patrol in Helmand province but it was decided the motorcycle tour should go ahead in his memory, and should include anybody who wished to join to help boost the funds raised.

Around 850 miles were covered by 25 riders on the tour, almost all of whom knew Manny personally.

The tour left RM Condor, the home of 45 Commando in Arbroath, and headed to the west coast of Scotland.

On the way, there was a small service of remembrance at the foot of the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, led by the unit padre Bill Gates.

The bikers took the opportunity to visit other Scottish service establishments, including HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, Royal Marines Reserve Scotland in Govan, and the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow.

The tour also went south of the border briefly to visit the Defence School of Transport in Leconsfield in Yorkshire and then the Royal Marines Reserves unit in Newcastle, before heading back to Arbroath.

The organiser of the bike tour, Major Gary Giles who was based in Forward Operating Base Jackson, Sangin, in Afghanistan, said, “Sergeant Manuel was a real character who loved his motorbike and was known to us all.

“It seemed very fitting to raise money in memory of him, and to honour all our fallen comrades during recent conflicts overseas.

“It was a really enjoyable bike ride around the country and we would like to thank everyone who donated money to our causes, which are Help for Heroes and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust.”

The marines of 45 Commando recently returned from a successful six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, where the Royal Marines made tangible and sustainable progress, delivering security and local governance to the Afghan people, and preparing the ground for the recent government elections.

The unit also discovered a number of Taliban weapons, hideouts and drugs stashes while on patrols.

45 Commando—which has just returned from a deserved post-operational leave period—is now gearing up and preparing for a winter deployment deep in the Arctic Circle in northern Norway.