North Yorkshire youth motorcycling charity, the Richmond Area Motorcycle Project (RAMP), are back in the saddle, months after falling victim to a “heart-breaking” theft.

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For nearly 20 years, the volunteer-run scheme have operated most weekends between March and October, using off-road bikes to train 13- to 19-year-olds on road safety, maintenance, and the legal aspects of riding.

The group work alongside local partners including North Yorkshire Youth, PCSOs and Youth Justice to steer young people away from antisocial behaviour – all while providing a safe place to develop two-wheeled skills.

That good work was thrown into doubt following a December 2025 break-in, described by volunteer Chloe Hollinshead as “heart-breaking”, when thieves made off with four motorcycles, leaving RAMP with just one machine left. With no immediate means of replacement, organisers were left facing the prospect of permanent closure. One bike was later recovered, but badly damaged.

Now, three-time 500cc motocross world champion Dave Thorpe, working with Honda UK, has supplied three Honda CRF125F machines to rebuild the fleet, while a wave of public donations will help support ongoing running costs.

“I was so disappointed to read about RAMP’s bikes getting stolen and feel that off-road bike theft is a challenge up and down the country,” said Thorpe. “I figured that we could give [the bikes] to RAMP on loan to keep their dream, and riding programme alive… The more young riders that start out the right way off-road the better, I feel and RAMP certainly does just that. Long may they continue.”

The bikes, pulled from Thorpe’s Honda Adventure Centre operation, were delivered on April 13, arriving at Risedale School in Catterick Garrison, where RAMP are based, to a group of young riders who wasted no time putting them through their paces in a secure training area.

RAMP aim to purchase the CRFs later this year (at a discounted rate) using funds secured through public donations and an undisclosed insurance settlement.

The single machine that was recovered has also now been repaired, after Honda UK donated the parts required free of charge. With five motorcycles back in rotation, RAMP will soon resume regular sessions.

Hollinshead added: “We’ve been blown away by the quick and hugely supportive action that Dave Thorpe and the team at Honda UK have provided. From the point a few months ago where it looked like it was the end for RAMP, to now be in a position to have all this support and most importantly, continue to provide these riding opportunities for kids across the local area is just fantastic! And for the kids to then have the opportunity to get some knowledge and riding skills from a three-time world champion, well, I just can’t believe it!”

A GoFundMe page is still live, with all money raised set to go towards the continuation of RAMP’s good work, helping improve the lives on local youths.