Charity ride to celebrate His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 60th Birth Anniversary

The Bhutan Dragons Motorcycle Club (BDMC) launched its “Delivery ‘K4’ Bhutan” charity ride dedicated to His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck on His Majesty’s 60th Birthday.

The club dedicates all the charity rides, from its 25th charity ride to Tsirang on November 11 last year till the 30th charity ride on November 11 this year, to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

The launch was chaired by Dasho Paljor J. Dorji, famously known as Dasho Benji. The initiative aims to collect all types of donated goods from the people in Bhutan within the networks in Thimphu and Phuentsholing.

The goods collected will be sorted and distributed to needy and under-privileged people all across Bhutan during the club’s various charity rides conducted every year.

The collection drive would be carried out on weekends and government holidays throughout the year. The drive will be continuous with no fixed time.  A release from BDMC states, “Goods should be in good condition and not tattered, torn, broken, unusable nor really old and dirty. Goods can be anything ranging from clothes, furniture, toys, books, electronics, blankets, mattresses, kitchen utensils, shoes, carpets, household items, etc.”

“Let us collectively help deliver our love and goodwill towards our less fortunate countrymen taking inspiration from our beloved Monarchs and bring upon many a smile and prayer,” the release states.

One of the BDMC members, Kelly Dorji, said, “The important factor here is just how well the trend of motorcycling in Bhutan is incorporated into the big picture, that of a nation in the pursuit of Gross National Happiness.”

“We have all, not just as citizens, but as motorcycling enthusiasts as well, enjoyed the fruits of the labours of our Kings. We have come from a time of very limited motorable roads, to wonderfully smooth wide surfaces connecting almost every corner of our nation. In keeping with this progress, we endeavour to assist our fellow countrymen by taking the club charities to places beyond roads as well,” Kelly Dorji added.

Further, he said, “We ride, in sunshine, on ice, through mud and slush, in heat and cold, over boulders and through dust. We always ride happy and though some of us have taken a few tumbles, we have always gotten back up and continued on our mission.”

Riding for six years, the President of BDMC, Thinley Wangchuk Dorji said, “We have been to many places and found out that many people did not have what we had, they did not have proper clothes to wear, and some did not have proper food and shelter.” He said the club decided to help by gathering and delivering donated goods to the needy people across the country.

The club has delivered birth control items, food supplies, refurbished wearable, like shoes and clothes. The charity also include survival tools, books, writing and drawing material, laptops, computers, TVs, scientific instruments, medical equipment, and medical consultation.

The Bhutan Dragons Motorcycle Club was formed on 17 October 2008 by three childhood friends. The club aims to spread the love of peace, compassion, and friendship to all through biking.  It also helps to inspire and motivate the youth of country and collecting funds to help the needy and deprived people of country. “Love to Ride, Ride to Love”, being its motto. The club also announced that the 26th charity ride will be conducted to Rukha in Wangduephodrang in late January.

The club does four charity rides in a year, with its first charity ride in October 2008, where they distributed robes to the novice monks of the Yutha Lhakhang above Shaba village.

At present, the club currently has 37 full time members, 12 honorary members and eight prospect riders. The club also has coordinators, supporters, and friends across the country. Apart from Bhutan, the club has members from Australia, UK, Germany, India, and Japan.

Funds are raised from membership fees and through members and friends abroad, contributions from corporate and business houses and private individual contributions. The interested individuals willing to donate goods for the cause can make a call to 77432244 in Thimphu and 77432255 in Phuentsholing, and the club members will be there to pick the goods.

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