ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

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TriStar Motorcycles supports noble cause

Bikers join LoYAC blood ride to save livesBy Cinatra Fernandes

Arab Times Staff

The 5th LoYAC blood ride, organised by TriStar Motorcycle Establishment

and sponsored by Al Ahli Bank was held on Jan 21, supported by various bikers clubs, Dasman Diabetes Institute and the Central Blood Bank.

The blood ride began at LoYAC head-quarters at Al Qibliya School, where a bevy of bikers from the BMW Motorcycle Club, Ducati Club, and Motolady Club, were joined by members of several other active motorcycle clubs in Kuwait and the GCC before proceeding to the DDI in a convoy escorted by officials from the Ministry of Interior for the blood donation event.

Jafar Behbehani, proprietor of TriStar Motorcycles and President of the Ku-wait BMW Motorcycle Club and Kuwait Ducati Club informed that the riders’ par-ticipation comes as a result of their deep conviction to give back to society, “As a community of bikers, we use this opportu-nity to reach out to those in need. This is our ninth annual blood donation organised for TriStar and the associated clubs of Kuwait BMW Club, Kuwait Ducati Club, and Kuwait Moto Lady Club. It is an event we look forward to throughout the year because with each bag of blood donated, there is the possibility of saving and im-pacting three lives.”

Protect“Our message to the bikers, through this

event, is to protect yourself from getting injured and don’t waste your blood. Save it for your annual donation!”, he added.

He shared that motorcycle riding has picked up exponentially in Kuwait. Organizing the donation drive is a means to broadcast the message to the Kuwaiti

the first ring road, and to avoid the detours we rode to DDI via the Gulf road, without encountering any issues on the way.”

“The route was specifically planned and we did test runs on it days before. We knew exactly how long it would take to reach our destination and at what speed, which we limited to 70 km/hr. We also had a police escort from the traffic depart-ment in order to make the ride as safe as possible, and we are very grateful to them.”

LoYAC Executive Board Member Fe-touh Al Dalali reaffirmed the enthusiasm of LoYAC in organizing the blood dona-tion campaign annually and extended her gratitude to all participants and organizers for the tremendous effort exerted by all. She pointed out that the scope of volun-teering is wide and so is the capacity to do so, from person to person; while some do-nate money, others give of their time. She stressed that the happiness these acts of kindness bring to others in the community is the best incentive to give back. She also asserted that blood donation is extremely beneficial to the donor as it makes him or her aware of the status of their health as well as improve physical functions.

CommitmentFawzy Al Thunayan, ABK’s General

Manager for Board Affairs represented the Bank at the press conference and stressed its commitment to contribute to supporting humanitarian initiatives and shared that it was encouraging to see motorcycle riders participate in such a life saving event, pointing out that in the day that may be in need of help, they’ve already contributed towards it.

Other clubs and associations participat-ing in the drive included Kuwait Riders,

Photo by Mohamed MorsiEntertainment provided by LoYAC Academy for Performing Arts.

public that motorcycle riders make up an active segment of society that give back and dismantles the perception of the biker as a stereotypical thrill seeker, “Riders in Kuwait come from all walks of life. Today on the road you will find grandfathers

-like myself, and grandmothers, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, all riding alongside you. There-fore I would urge our fellow car drivers to give the due diligence and consideration for the biker because he is more vulnerable

to injury.”Describing the route taken on account of

the detours in the area, he informed, “The purpose of the ride is to come to donate so we tried to make the route as short as possible. From Qibliya school, we took

Bikers participating in the blood donation ride.

Jafar Behbehani of TriStar Motorcyles, President of Ducati and BMW Motorcycle clubs pose for a group photo with LoYAC volunteers.

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