Motorbike tribute to Audrey, 95
A grieving son has been overwhelmed by the response to an online plea ahead of his motorbike fanatic mother’s funeral.
Roger Boxall took to Facebook following his 95-year-old mother Audrey’s death on Saturday, June 13, and appealed for bikers to ride alongside the motorbike and sidecar hearse on Wednesday. However, no one could have anticipated the response the 64-year-old, of Four Acres, East Malling, would receive.
To date the message has been shared around 6,900 times and more than 150 riders have pledged support – a number so large and unexpected Mr Boxall has had move the start point. He also contacted police and told them of the large group.
Audrey, who lived at the Poplars Nursing Home on Ton- bridge Road for eight years, was a “motorcycle nut” for as long as Mr Boxall can remember.
He believes her passion dates back as far as 1945, when she would travel to the speedway at Wimbledon every week with her late husband Cecil.
Mr Boxall said: “Mum was a motorbike freak. We always promised her we would get her a motorbike and sidecar funeral and she was absolutely thrilled. My wife gave me the idea to share the post on Facebook so I gave it a go. I was completely shocked by the response, and just can’t believe there’s still that much goodness in the world.
“As a family, we’re massively thankful to everyone in the biking community who has taken time out to give mum a wonderful send-off, and also to the hundreds of people who have sent us their condolences and messages of support.”
Describing the great-grandmother’s passion, he said: “She got very upset when the BBC stopped transmitting the MotoGP. She had a thing for Valentino Rossi. If he turned up at her funeral she’d probably jump out of the coffin!”
Mrs Boxall leaves behind sons Roger and John, daughter Jane, as well as 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Her funeral will be at Vinters Park Crematorium at 2.45pm, with riders meeting at Teston Country Park at 1.45pm. To pledge your support, contact Mr Boxall on 07891 556664.