Hundreds of firefighters on motorbikes to rumble through Essex today to honour fallen colleagues
They will be gathering at the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial, located at the Living Memorial site in Rettendon
Hundreds of firefighters on motorbikes will be riding across Essex today as they honour fallen colleagues.
Firefighters and fire service supporters from across the UK, Europe, and North America will gather in Rettendon, at the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial.
The event will also see the inauguration of the K9 Memorial for fire service dogs.
A ceremonial motorcycle procession will see the firefighters rumbling from Rettendon to Grays, through Chelmsford, Billericay and Brentwood.
Mark Moughton, from the Red Knights, said:
"We feel if you hear lots and lots of motorbikes together, it's quite a rumble and it's definitely head turning.
"The reason it's important for us is it gets people recognising that we are Red Knights and that links back to the memorial itself.
"This is all about expanding people's knowledge of the memorial.
"We built the wall so people all over the UK can be recognised, so as Red Knights that's really important to us.
"I've already been to quite a few events across Europe where all the Red Knights gather and I've been out on these motorbike rides. Trust me, it's a buzz. It is a massive, massive buzz."
Toby Crome, also from the Red Knights said:
"The living memorial where the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial is situated is the only memorial of its kind in all of the UK that honours firefighters and fire control staff, that not only lost their lives during service, but also afterwards from anything like cancer, mental health, anything like that. So it's really important that we remember that these are people that have given their lives in service of their community.
"It's going to be a really special day for remembrance. It's going to bring together fire service colleagues. It's going to bring riders across the world together to honour the service, the sacrifice and the friendship."