Simon Milward Tragically Killed in Africa

Simon Milward Tragically Killed in Africa

Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA)- PRESS RELEASE

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.

MAG PRESS RELEASE

Simon Milward Tragically Killed in Africa

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.

http://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.

LOVE IS GIVING SOMEONE THE ABILITY TO DESTROY YOU, THEN TRUSTING THEM NOT TO.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Vodka in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming…….WOO HOO, what a ride!