Scores of bikers ride out in memory of tragic pal

TRIBUTE: Widow speaks of husband’s love of family, friends and motorcycles

Big-hearted bikers joined forces yesterday to ride out in memory of a pal who died in a tragic Angus road accident.

Graeme Bell’s family organised the Ride for Graeme motorcycle event which left from the Cineworld car park at Camperdown in Dundee.

Graeme’s wife Jenni paid tribute to everyone who took part in the ride out, which followed a route to Glenshee, Braemar, Ballater, Cairn o’ Mount and back to Dundee.

She said: “Graeme was a genuine, loving great guy.

“He meant so much to us all and his loss has left an enormous hole in not only his family’s lives but friends and work colleagues as well.

“He loved motorbikes. He loved selling them and chatting to like-minded people about their shared passion.

“But most important to Graeme was his family and friends.”

Jenni said going out riding on his bike was Graeme’s form of escapism.

She said: “I’m sure though if he had been made aware of a fundraising event such as this he would of been keen to take part and show his support.

“He would have got a buzz from seeing all the bikes together and enjoyed being part of it.”

Graeme, 27, from Carnoustie, died in November, when his motorbike was involved in a collision with a car on the A930 at Barry while on his way to work at Cupar Motorcycles.

A resident went to get the nearest defibrillator to try to help, which prompted the family to raise funds for another.

Graeme could not be saved but the family believe buying another defibrillator would be a fitting way to honour Graeme’s memory.

There were already five defibrillators in Carnoustie but the family want to raise enough money to buy one for the Westhaven end of the town where they live.

“We have amazingly reached our goal of £2,000 on the Just Giving page so along with that and the cash donations we have already received we are well on our way to funding a second defibrillator in Graeme’s memory,” said Jenni. “If we can help another family I’m sure it would bring us all some form of comfort.”

The next fundraiser will be a sponsored walk from the family’s home in Carnoustie to Graeme’s work in Cupar.

Jenni said the family would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has and is supporting them with donations.

From left: Graeme’s father and mother Ian and Dorothy, Grant Duncan, Dean Buchanan, Graeme’s widow Jenni Bell with a defibrillator, Josh Buchanan and Graeme’s sister Louise at Camperdown where scores of bikers gathered to remember Graeme with a ride out.

Graeme meant so much to his family and his loss has left an enormous hole in their lives.