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SIMON MILWARD TRAGICALLY KILLED IN AFRICA Memorial Service
It is with great regret that we must tell you that Simon Milward, the former General Secretary of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) has died in a road accident in Africa while on a round the world charity fund-raising motorcycle ride.
Simon, who set out on what he called The Millennium Ride at the beginning of 2000 was raising funds for charities providing medical assistance via motorcycles in poor countries.
He had reached the West African state of Mali in West Africa on his way back to Europe when the accident occurred.
Details from the authorities are minimal at present but we shall post more on MAG's website as information becomes available.
Initiatives have been made to repatriate his body and we shall post bulletins on the website to advise of further arrangements.
Anyone wishing to recognise the selfless work Simon so enthusiastically committed himself to, may like to visit his website for details regarding donations to his charities. www.millennium-ride.com
All of us at MAG UK wish to express our sympathy to Simon's family and his many friends around the world. His loss leaves a huge gap in all our lives.
Ian Mutch MAG President
Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA)
The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) regrets to announce that it's former General Secretary Simon Milward passed away following a road accident on the 4th of march 2005 near the city of Kayes in Mali (Africa). Simon was fourty years old.
Simon Charles Milward was born on the 28th of January 1965 in Strete, South Devon, United Kingdom. In 1989 Simon quit as quality control manager with a leading British reprographic printing company to concentrate on something he believed in and where he thought he could do something useful. Simon started a fulltime career working for the interests of motorcyclists with the Motorcycle Action Group United Kingdom.
In 1992 Simon established the Brussels headquarters of the Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEM) in Brussels and became FEM's General Secretary.
Finding his way through the EU maze he started co-ordinating efforts towards specific legislatory targets.
This resulted in bikers being among the first citizens to benefit from the democratic changes of the Maastricht Treaty and due to Simon's never ending work, FEM became a well-known and effective lobby group in the EU institutions.
In 1998 FEM merged with the EMA (the European Motorcyclists Association) to form the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA). Simon Milward became FEMA's General Secretary.
Affiliated to FEMA today are 22 national riders rights organisations from 18 European countries.
On January 1st 2000 Simon left Europe to fulfil a lifelong dream: to ride his handmade motorcycle around the world on a humanitarian mission. His journey was supposed to last for 18 months, but it turned into a five year long odyssey. Simon was expected to arrive back in the UK around October 2005.
With the passing away of Simon Milward, the European motorcycle community has lost a true rider and a pioneer in the riders' rights movement. Simon always inspired those who have had the honour and the privilege to work with him and we will never forget him. We have lost a friend.
Our thoughts are with Simon's family and friends. FEMA
THE SE REGION IS ORGANISING A MEMORIAL RUN FOR SIMON MILWARD
Sunday April 24th leaving 13:00
Details Here
Map of start point Here
Provisional route (PDF)
The start of the SE Run will be in the Kent & Sussex Courier's front car park, Longfield Road, North Farm trading estate, Tunbridge Wells. (just off the A21), going to Brighton, Madeira Drive, approx. 41 miles, where a wreath will be cast into the sea.
Simon Milward Memorial Service
Details of the open service of thanksgiving for Simon Milward, former General Secretary of FEMA.
Mrs. Jane Milward and Family and
the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations
A celebration of the life of
Simon Charles Milward
28th January 1963 - 4th March 2005
Will be held on. Saturday 7th May 2005 at the
Riverside Leisure Centre, Cowick Street) Exeter EX4 JAF
From 10.30 am to 12.30pm
And afterwards at
The Double Locks, Canal Banks, Exeter EX2 6LT
Please reply to Christina Gesios
FEMA. Rue des Champs 62, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
christina.fema@chello.be Tel: 0032 2 736 9047
You can download the invitation Here
Riverside location Map Here
The Double Locks Details Here
Further details on Exeter Here
FEMA Obituary For Simon Milward Here
A Memorial Fund has been established. Simon's family has asked that all donations go to the Flores Project
You may donate online Here
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