MORE than 300 motorcyclists are expected to ride through Redditch on Friday, April 12 escorting the coffin of Allen Morris, the man who founded Redditch Charity Bikers.
Allen was diagnosed with lung cancer in January this year and died shortly after his 48th birthday on March 16.
He had helped raise thousands of pounds for charity.
“He had a big heart and lots of time for all sorts of charities, Cancer Research, Blue Cross, Charlotte and Craig’s Saving Hearts Foundation, Primrose Hospice and Blood Bikers,” said his distraught partner Sam Clarke.
She said that Allen, from Winyates, had started Redditch Charity Bikers after his mother was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
“He wanted to give something back for all the treatment she received so he started Redditch Charity Bikers.
“Thankfully she’s still with us, but she is devastated.”
The couple, both with two children, met seven years ago through a mutual friend.
“He was my world,” said Sam, “and meant everything to me and he touched a lot of hearts.”
After being diagnosed with cancer Allen was offered new immuno-therapy treatment but unfortunately his body reacted against it and quickly went down hill after catching pneumonia.
Fellow biker Steve ‘Bikenutz’ said Redditch Charity Bikers has more than 1,000 members across the Midlands.
“He helped raise loads of money for charity,” he said.
“We’d ride out on a Sunday to Moreton in Marsh or somewhere and we’d all donate money, our time and our costs for charity.
“Last April we ran out to the Children Hospital and we did the ‘ride to the wall’ to the National Royal Arboretum, but we’d get slated as hooligans because people didn’t realise it was all for a good cause.”
Allen’s last journey will be in a motorcycle and sidecar hearse escorted by the bikers he loved.
Meeting at The Dog from 12noon the cortege will convey him to Redditch crematorium via the Warwick Highway and the iconic Cloverleaf junction.
