Riding in honour of a life taken too soon
Jennifer Board always loved kids, but the dreams she held for having her own someday were destroyed after her tragic death in 2021.
Now locals are honouring her memory, raising funds for a children’s charity close to her heart.
The Townsville Restored Motorcycle Club is gearing up to host its second Jennifer Board Memorial Ride on May 28.
The event raises money for the Brighter Lives charity, which works tirelessly to help babies and children at the Townsville University Hospital.
Jennifer’s stepfather Drew Jackson said along with her love for motorcycles, the late 22-year-old also loved to crochet.
“Her mum’s spent the last 12 months finishing off some of the half-finished projects like blankets and things that Jen
nifer had started but never got the chance to finish,” he said.
“We donated some of them to Brighter Lives during the last ride, along with a cheque for more than $5000 that we managed to raise.”
He said this year they were hoping to do even better and are calling on the community to join the memorial ride, starting at Sherriff Park to Weir State School and then on to the Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms.
“After Jennifer got her motorbike licence and came with us on her first club ride up to the Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms,” Mr Drew said.
“She was going to join the club but was killed before that happened.”
Jennifer was killed in Townsville back in 2021 after an alleged vigilante veered on to the wrong side of the road and hit her head-on.
Police allege the man, who has been charged with manslaughter, had been following a stolen car at the time. The matters are still before the courts.
Years later, Jennifer’s sudden death is still very raw for her grief-stricken family.
“I often replay the night that it happened in my head,” Mr Jackson said.
“We drove down to the scene, and we weren’t allowed to go anywhere near it. It was just unbelievable.
“She was talking to her mother on the phone a few minutes before the accident. Had they talked for a few more seconds, maybe it wouldn’t have happened.
“It’s hard to stop thinking about those what-ifs. It’s just the wrong place, the wrong time.”
He said they also want to use the memorial ride to remind people about motorcycle safety.
“Jennifer always rode in all the right gear, the right helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, everything,” Mr Jackson said.
“Coincidently, it’s also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so we want people to keep it in mind.”
Registration for the memorial ride will open at 7am at Sherriff Park ahead of the group departing at 8.15am.
Participants are asked to wear orange, which was Jennifer’s favourite colour. For more information search for the Jennifer Board Memorial Ride event page on Facebook.
“I often replay the night that it happened in my head
Drew Jackson Ms Board’’s stepfather