MOTORBIKE riders braved torrential weekend rain to raise money in memory of a much-missed friend.
The Boundary 500 motorcycle group organised the 160-mile ride to remember fellow biker John Toner, 39, of Marton, Middlesbrough, who died in June last year.
The dad-of-two was killed only 10 minutes from the end of a 500-mile ride for the Great North Air Ambulance.
Members of the biker group said all the money raised would be split between John’s family, their own funds and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.
The ride, on Saturday, took the group around Cleveland and finished at Lord Stones Cafe in Carlton, where owner John Simpson had arranged for entertainment by three rock bands, and a major firework display.
Rachael Bareham, events co-ordinator for Zoe’s Place who joined the group, said: “It went absolutely brilliantly. Everybody was very enthusiastic. The weather didn’t cause too much of a problem and it came out nice in the afternoon.
“People have been so generous. We thank everybody who turned up for the ride and everyone who sponsored them. We had a really good time and raised a lot of money.”
Brian Laverick, the organiser of the Boundary Motorcycle events, said: “By running the ‘JT’ event we are remembering John. The money raised goes to helping not only his family but any other participant in our events who is involved in such a serious incident.
“It’s our way of looking after our own. The main ethos of our group is not what’s in it for me, but what can I do to help.”
To make a donation visit
The Boundary 500 Motorcycle Challenge and Motorcycle Classic.
Elsewhere on Teesside more than 900 people from throughout the region took part in Hartlepool’s Midnight Walk, organised by Hartlepool and District Hospice.
At the stroke of midnight on Saturday night, Jemma Lowe Hartlepool’s Olympic swimmer, set hundreds of participants on their way on a walk from Hartlepool Marina to Seaton Carew and back.
Helen Mills, chief executive of the hospice who took part in the walk, said: “The spirit of the night was brilliant.
“Although everyone was walking for their own reasons we were united by a great sense of community spirit and a drive to make a difference to the lives of people in our community who are affected by life limiting illness.”
Sharon Totty, 32, from Hartlepool, was the first walker back at 1:10am. She said: “I really enjoyed it. The hospice cared for my grandad, Thomas Adams, so it’s great to support them like this.”
All money raised from the Midnight Walk will go towards maintaining the unique range of specialist palliative care and bereavement support services offered by the Hospice.
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