‘We’re going to take as much stuff as we can’

Moto GP rider Ian Pert runs Hedz Up — a charity which works with and trains youngsters throughout the country, including Dundee — and is ready to drive a vehicle filled with donations across the Continent.

He will be joined by fellow riders James Hunter and Ronnie Russell.

Ian said the trip will take the group through dangerous terrain and its members will need to keep their wits about them to ensure they come back safe and sound.

He told the Tele: “We are going to an area where there are risks — we know that. We have all been racing our whole lives and I think that will see us through. We are used to being in dangerous situations.

“You just don’t know what you are going to get in these places — we are aware of the dangers.

“The people we are going out to help are people who have lost their homes and their families to the war in Syria.

“The camp we have chosen was picked because there are a lot of kids there.

“We are going to take as much stuff as we can because these kids are forgotten about.”

Ian, from Arbroath, said people “deserve options in life”.

He added: “These are kids that are forgotten.

“These people feel like they have been forgotten about.

“We aim to show them that there are people in the motorcycling community who care and think about them.

“There is danger, there is no getting away from that — but that is what makes it real.”

The group will fill the van with a range of items, including children’s clothing, nonperishable food items, toiletries and bedding for the refugee camp, which is located on the Turkey/Syria border.

The camp houses refugee children displaced by the war.

Ian expects the trip to last for 12 days, after originally planning a 20-day venture.

The trip is a tribute to the famed Joey Dunlop. Known as one of the best Moto GP racers of all time, Joey died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 after losing control of his bike in wet conditions. He was killed instantly upon impact with trees.

The trio of bikers are also taking on the feat in memory of their friend Andy Lawson, a 24-year-old rider, from Arbroath, who died in 2015.

Ian said they had been inspired by Dunlop’s charitable efforts.

The world champion and multiple TT winner was awarded the OBE for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanages, to which he made frequent trips delivered clothing and food.

Ian added: “In those days, he would go away to somewhere and you wouldn’t hear from him for weeks.

“Nowadays, there are phones. Our van is kitted out with more technology than the first shuttle that went to the moon — he didn’t have any of that.”

The trio previously went to Romania on a similar trip i n honour of Manx racer Billy Redmayne.

They spent their time on that trip handing out donations to civilians who were trapped and struggling without basic supplies.

People who want to contribute to the group’s upcoming trip can visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ vantriptosyria.

A CHARITY worker is set to drive a van laden with aid for Syrian refugees across Europe.