ROCKINGHAM — Members of Richmond County’s motorcycle community raised nearly $4,000 to help support one of their own.
The money will go to help Jay Carpenter and his family, according to ride organizer Mike Brown.
According to Brown, Carpenter had a blood vessel to explode and is currently in a rehabilitation center.
The funds are to help his family with transportation costs to go visit him, Brown said.
Carpenter was the vice president for the former Steel Wheels Riding Club, which used to hold benefit rides for various community causes.
“You never think about when you’re doing these rides that you might be the one who needs help,” Brown said, who was president of Steel Wheels. He added that he was surprised by the support of local businesses.
The bikers rolled out of the VFW Post 4203 parking lot late Saturday morning on a 75-mile round trip before returning for door prizes, an auction and a 50/50 raffle (most of which was donated back) — with a surprise appearance by Carpenter.
There are at least two benefit rides planned for next month.
A group of local lady bikers is planning a toy run on Sept. 9 for the residents of Pence Place, which serves children up to age 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury.
That ride will begin and end at the Hideaway Tavern.
Click here to read more about the Pence Place ride.
The following weekend will be the fourth annual Back the Blue Ride. Money raised from that event goes to support the Shop With a Cop programs in Richmond and Scotland counties. Last year’s ride raised $14,000.
The Back the Blue ride will start at Cross Roads Grill (formerly Jerry’s Deli) in Laurinburg and join up with other riders at the Hide-A-Way before riding back to Scotland County, passing by all the benefiting law enforcement agencies in the two counties.
Three previous rides hosted by the Hide-A-Way this year have brought in more than $17,000 combined for the Silvertip Hunt Club’s annual veterans hunting trip, Project Taylor and Richmond County Special Olympics.
