Hundreds of bikers set to pay tribute to 'Shaggy'

Buy photos » Hundreds of bikers are set to ride to Bridgnorth in memory of Nigel Shakespeare. (s)

HUNDREDS of bikers are set to take part in a ride in memory of the Lakeside man killed during a street attack.

Nigel Shakespeare, who had ridden motorcycles for more than 30 years, died in Sillins Avenue on February 24 and his fellow bikers have now rallied round to raise money towards his funeral costs.

More than 500 are expected to turn up during the remembrance ride on Saturday, March 23, which will start at the Hopwood Services at Junction 2 of the M42 at 10am.

The motorcyclists will ride through Bromsgrove and Kidderminster before stopping off at a well-known bikers' café in Bridgenorth. The cost to attend is £5 with all money going towards the costs of burying the 50-year-old, known to his friends as Shaggy.

Organiser Andy Pyatt, who first met Mr Shakespeare when they both joined Lodge Farm Middle School aged nine, said he had been on the road since he was old enough to ride a bike and had since got to know many of the people in the biking community.

"When I put the details of the event on Facebook, within 48 hours we had 230 people saying they were coming. He had an awful lot of friends, hundreds and hundreds.

"We would like to thank West Mercia Police for their offer of helping to marshal the event and also everybody who has offered their help and support. There are even people coming who didn't know Nigel, it will be a major event."

A second fund-raising event will take place at the Abbeydale Social Club on Friday, March 29. Doors will open at 7.30pm with a band and a DJ from 9pm at a cost of £5 per person.

Donations can also be dropped off at the Redditch Standard offices in Church Green East, they must be in an envelope clearly marked for the attention of Harriet Ernstsons.

Other donation drop-off points include the Kings Arms pub in Beoley Road West, Doug's Cycles in Studley, the Royal Oak in Studley or Inky Needles in Northfield.

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