YouTube motorbike enthusiast from Desborough is revving up to go on a 'bonkers' ride to Skegness - here's why

A YouTube motorbike enthusiast from Desborough is revving up to go on a “bonkers” ride to Skegness to support a vital mental health charity.

Alan Dowsett, 38, will set out for sunny Skeggy on a rare 1988 Honda Vision moped on Saturday September 19 backed up by his good mate Darren Leslie.

The dad-of-six hopes to rake in over £1,000 for the PTSD UK charity by tackling the 85-mile slow-speed journey to the east coast.

Alan, of Burdock Way, Desborough, said: “We are going to have a lot of fun along the way but our mission has a deeply-serious cause behind it.

“I worked for about five years as an ambulance technician with the ambulance service based in Kettering.

“I saw some terrible sights which I’ll never forget.”

The Market Harborough-born train driver added: “Some of my former colleagues left after suffering mental health issues.

“I was in an ambulance heading out on a blue light 999 emergency near Wellingborough when a car suddenly careered across a road and smashed into us.

“The combined speed of our two vehicles in the collision must have topped a terrifying 120mph.

“It was a miracle that no-one was killed – and that had a real effect on me.”

Alan, who has over 1,400 worldwide subscribers on his niche Helmet Head YouTube blog, said the Lincolnshire coast adventure will take him all day.

“My Honda Vision will be lucky to hit 28mph!

“I bought just about the only one I could find from a woman in Gloucester for about £400 just three weeks ago.

“It had flat tyres and a flat battery.

“But I’ve worked my magic on it and got it going again,” he said.

“We are going to carry shopping baskets on the front and fill them up with weird and wacky stuff from shops when we get to Skeggy.

“We’ve also got fellow YouTubers donating to have their stickers plastered all over my machine.

“We are going to carry funky fake rockets, Union Jacks and I’ll be wearing a sparkling waist jacket.

“It will be bonkers.

“And the more bonkers the better!

“We are stirring up interest among other motorbike lovers as far away as Australia and the States.

“We are really looking forward to hitting the road.

“But above all else we want to highlight the very serious issue of PTSD and support the fantastic charity which supports people who are suffering.

“So please get behind us and help us to help people with PTSD all over the country.”

You can find out more about Alan’s seaside spectacular and make a donation on his ‘Living for the Ride’ YouTube Channel here: www.youtube.com/c/HelmetHead