A FORMER Ingrave resident has found a novel way of combining his hobby with fundraising for the hospice that cared for his wife before she died of breast cancer.
David Bardwell took a vintage motorcycle to the Isle of Man to complete a lap of the famous Tourist Trophy circuit in memory of his wife Pam, who died aged 60 in 2009.
On his 1949 350cc Mk VIII KTT Velocette, Mr Bardwell completed the 37-mile circuit at an average speed of 74mph, just 4mph less than the same model managed when it was entered in the original Isle of Man TT in 1949.
Mr Bardwell, 62, who now lives in Wales, said: "In its day this motorbike was one of the best of its kind and the opportunity to ride it around the TT course was an amazing and thrilling experience for me.
"I wanted to share some of that pleasure by getting sponsorship and raising as much money as I could for Saint Francis Hospice because they provided my wife Pam and me with amazing care during her illness and made the last few weeks of her life as comfortable as they could possibly be.
"Pam and I were married for 37 years and she was a loving and very hospitable person who was always there to help others who needed it and she is very much missed.
"Without the help of Saint Francis Hospice, I would not have managed to nurse Pam at home where she wanted to be."
Mr Bardwell's ride and sponsorship raised more than £820 for the hospice.
Lauren Josman, fundraising events manager at the hospice in Havering-atte-Bower, said: "Thanks to David and all those who supported him in his ride in memory of Pam, other patients and their families across Brentwood, Havering and neighbouring boroughs will be able to receive care from our specialist nurses and doctors in their own homes."
