FINAL RIDE

Family shattered as bikers remember mate

FRIENDS of a Townsville man who died after crashing his motorbike will hold a memorial ride in his honour.

Mathew Chase, 37, was yesterday remembered for his big smile, caring nature and passion for motorbikes.

Mr Chase ( pictured) lost his fight for life in Townsville Hospital on Saturday, two days after he crashed his motorbike into a power pole on the Ring Road on July 2. His sister Elizabeth Chapman said her brother had a caring nature and was always willing to lend a hand.

“We will always remember how great he was and that he was always there with a smile,” she said. “He just wanted everyone else to be OK and was very caring and selfless.”

Ms Chapman said her brother loved motorbikes and fishing.

“He loved to fish, but he hadn’t been out as much lately because he was always on the bike.

“We have lots of good memories of him. He was just so loved by everybody and was always there for everybody and always there to help.

“You just have to look at the support on Facebook to see how loved he was.”

Mr Chase grew up in Townsville and was a student at William Ross State High School. He lived in Canberra and Atherton before returning to his hometown of Townsville where he worked for Smiles Garden Bags.

The Townsville motorbike community has rallied behind Mr Chase’s family and will meet on Saturday morning for a memorial ride.

His mate Brendan Astell remembered a very caring man with a big heart and love of motorbikes.

“Motorbikes were his life – that was all he ever spoke about,” Mr Astell said.

“He was a big part of the Townsville Bikeriders Unite group since we started and he did everything he could to help us grow.

“He only ever missed one ride out of about 40.

“Matty was just a good guy and cared about everybody.”

Riders will meet with Mr Chase’s family in the Joyce Mayne car park in Woodman Court, West End at 7.30am on Saturday for a memorial ride.

Donations made by the riders will go towards the family to help pay for funeral costs.

“It’s what he would have wanted,” Mr Astell said.