Grand Prix motorcycle legend Ron Haslam joining Shropshire's Bike4Life 2019

Ron said he was looking forward to his first visit to the Midlands Air Ambulance event, which regularly attracts 10,000 people and raised more than £85,000.

The road racing hero has been riding for over 30 years, and is three times world champion and four times British champion in Grand Prix motorcycle road racing.

“I’m really looking forward to my first Bike4Life," he said. "It’s such a fantastic event for a brilliant cause, and I can’t wait to meet the 10,000 bikers at the Festival – it looks like it’s going to be a fantastic day."

Ron will be joined by world superbike champion Carl Fogarty and motorbike and truck racing legend Steve Parrish.

The pair have been long supporters of the annual event and will again lead the procession of thousands of bikers from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford during the event in April.

Fans will also be able to visit Honda Ron Haslam Racing School’s stand whilst at the Festival, offering an introduction to high performance bikes and the opportunity for riders to improve their skills and understand the finer points of riding.

As well as the many stalls featured at the Bike4Life Festival, local bands will also be performing throughout the day. The Delray Rockets, Wizards of Oz and Soul Stripper will all be entertaining crowds at RAF Cosford.

Jo Bailey, events and area fundraising manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “This year Bike4Life will be better than ever, with new stalls featured and a display of vintage motorcycles for bike lovers to explore, along with Ron joining our long-standing supporters at the Festival.

“We can’t wait for the day and look forward to greeting the biking community at what promises to be another fantastic event.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival is one of the biggest biker events in the country

Starting from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury, the Ride Out is a 23-mile route to RAF Cosford, home to the Bike4Life Festival.

Last year’s Bike4Life event saw £87,770 raised for the charity, funding 35 lifesaving missions.

Bike4Life 2019 will take place on April 28 and tickets are still available.

For more information or to book a place, visit bike4lifefest.com