Great Escape 2 riders pick up Triumphs The Great Escape 2 charity riders will pick up their Triumphs from Laguna Motorcycles in Maidstone on Sunday 6th March at 10:00am ready for their European ride out. The Charity fund raiser will see nine motorcyclists travel through Europe, starting on the 4th June 2011 and covering 3000 miles over two weeks. The aim is to remember all Prisoners of War during WWII whilst raising money for the UK's more recent war heroes. All funds raised will go to Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. Laguna Motorcycles have generously supplied a Triumph T100 which has been adapted to look similar to the Steve McQueen machine used in the Great Escape film. They have also supplied a Triumph T100 Standard in Black and White, a Triumph Thruxton in Red, a Triumph T100 with a special paint job, a Triumph Bonneville SE in Orange, Triumph Bonneville Standard in White and the distinctive Triumph Scrambler in Green. The Great Escape is one of the most iconic war films ever made and being based on a true story makes it even more impressive. It strikes a chord with Motorcyclists due to the famous scene with Steve McQueen jumping a barbed wire fence aboard a Triumph. The film is based on the adventures of Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, known in the film as Big X, he was shot down and captured during the evacuation of Dunkirk and made it his mission to cause as much disruption as possible for the German forces. The men who took part in the original great escape knew that the more time the Germans devoted to their capture the less time they had to concentrate on the front line. The Great Escape 2 team intend to follow the route of Squadron Leader Bushell from a starting point at former RAF Biggin Hill, via Dover to the beaches of Dunkirk and then on to Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Finally returning via Trier train station where Bushell was caught. After a night in Ypres to take part in the Last Post Parade, they will return to Dunkirk and then home. They will also visit Stalag Luft III where the Escape actually took place. Joining them on the emotional trip (although not on a motorcycle) is Colin Kirby Green son of Squadron Leader Tom Kirby Green who escaped from the camp only to be later captured and killed by the Gestapo. Peter Spowage, Event Organiser said: “I'm thrilled to have the backing of Laguna Motorcycles with this project. Triumph has always been associated with the Steve McQueen jump so it is very fitting that we are able to do the trip on the correct machinery. We have had a lot of support so I'd like to thank everyone for their efforts.” Mick Lee, Laguna Motorcycles' Marketing Manager said: “We first came to hear of what Peter was organising when we participated in a local motorcycle event organised by the Fire Service. Peter's enthusiasm was infectious, when he explained the trip and what he wanted to achieve by making this incredible journey we wanted to be a part of it from the start. Since pledging our support we've seen the incredible work that Peter and the team have put in, awareness of The Great Escape II has increased exponentially and the individuals within the team all have their own stories and reasons for being involved. We are proud to be the supplier of the seven Triumph machines that will make this journey, and of our association with The Great Escape II team and the charities that will benefit from their hard work Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion.”   For further information on the trip or to make a donation please visit www.greatescape2.net.