With the thousands of pounds raised after the sad death of 17 year old Jude Morris from Corfe Castle in Dorset, his family has launched a charitable foundation to support aspiring motocross riders.
The generous donations that flooded in after the talented athlete’s motocross accident, meant that as well as donating £84,000 to the UK Air Ambulance Charity, his father Mark has also been able to set up the Jude Morris Racing Foundation.
Jude, who attended Corfe Castle Primary School and later The Purbeck School, lost his life while competing in a race at the Duns Motocross track in Scotland in August 2021.
Chef Paul Ainsworth and Mark Morris
Paul Ainsworth kitted up and had a go on a motocross bike with fellow chef, Tom Kerridge looking on
Michelin-starred chefs, Tom Kerridge and Paul Ainsworth
Michelin-starred chefs, Tom Kerridge and Paul Ainsworth came along to the event to lend their support to Mark Morris, who’s worked around the world in the hospitality business and now runs a networking website for chefs.
The Jude Morris Racing Foundation aims to help, develop and coach aspiring athletes through physical and mental performance guidance, so they can perform at the highest level.
Riders, Alfie Jones (731) and Jamie Carpenter (184) at Michelin MX Nationals at Cusses Gorse in Wiltshire
Jamie Carpenter from Bournemouth did a few laps of the course and displayed Jude Morris’ 101 badge in his honour
“The funds will go to help so many people“
Speaking at the launch at the Michelin MX Nationals in Wiltshire, Mark Morris said:
“It was incredible the amount of money raised and to do so in just seven months is absolutely staggering.
“The funds will go to help so many people through Air Ambulances UK and by creating a community that supports young riders. We’re already helping 16 young people from 8 to 18 years. It’s not just financial – we’re providing coaching and the right kit, bespoke to each rider.”
The fundraising is continuing and in future, for every £1 raised, 20 pence will go to Air Ambulance UK and 80 pence to the Jude Morris Racing Foundation.
The first youngsters to benefit from the Jude Morris Racing Foundation
“Supporting Jude’s legacy“
The chef, Paul Ainsworth said:
“It’s an absolute honour to be here and supporting Jude’s legacy. I watched Jude grow up and followed his successes on social media.
“I love motorbikes and used to go to trials with my father, so I understand the father/son thing. What Mark has done setting up the foundation in his son’s name is an incredible thing, so when he called me, I was more than happy to come along.”
Jude Morris was tipped to be a future adult British champion
Jude Morris won the MX Nationals in 2021
One of the UK’s leading youth riders
Jude was was one of the leading youth riders within the UK and had the potential to be a future adult British champion.
He had won the MX Nationals at Cusses Gorse in Wiltshire the week before his accident at the Duns Motocross track in Scotland.
Mark Morris handing over the cheque of £84,000 to Air Ambulances UK’s vice chair John Christensen and head of fundraising and sustainability Emma Carter, while also collecting a further donation of nearly £6,000 from fundraisers Givaway Life
“Air ambulances completely depend on support like this to continue“
Air Ambulances UK raises money for all the 21 air ambulance charities across the UK including the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. In 2020 it shared out £6m between the charities.
Accepting the cheque for £84,000, the vice chair of Air Ambulances UK John Christensen said:
“This donation is incredibly important, as the air ambulances completely depend on support like this to continue to be able to operate.
“Events like motocross, is a good example of why we need a national organisation like Air Ambulances UK, as races take place across the UK. Donating to the national charity means that we can spread the funds equally – you never know where you might be when you or a member of your family may need an air ambulance.”
Dan Thornhill, 26, has been competing since he was 15 years old
“This is 100 percent welcome!”
One of the top British motocross riders is Dan Thornhill and he’s competing in the British Motocross Grand Prix at Matterley Basin in Winchester, which takes place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th February 2022. He said:
“The foundation is a really good cause, not just to remember Jude but for the sport itself. Motocross is very demanding and deserves more context – it’s not just riding but it’s also about your state of mind.
“Mental preparation is very important, along with the physical and needs to be supported at the grass roots level. There’s lots of talent that doesn’t always get the support they need. This is 100 percent welcome!”
Further information
More about the Jude Morris Racing Foundation and how to donate is on its website
