The two charities chosen to benefit from the 2025 Dave Day Weekend in Barrow are gearing up for the celebrations.
Funds raised during Dave Day on June 21 and June 22 will be split between CancerCare North Lancashire & South Cumbria and NSPCC Childline.
Dave Day is held as a tribute to the late chef and TV personality Dave Myers, who sadly died from cancer in February 2024.
Now in its second year, Dave Day 2025 will see thousands of members of the UK motorcycle community come together to ride to Dave’s hometown of Barrow.
Chef Si King, who was one half of cooking duo The Hairy Bikers with Dave, said: “Dave Day is set to be another wonderful event. A celebration of my best mate’s life and his love for bikes, fraternity and Barrow. Look forward to seeing you on the ride. Love to you all.”
CancerCare is a local, independent charity who provide free counselling and complementary therapy to adults and children affected by cancer, life-shortening illness and bereavement. Their centre on Duke Street in Barrow supports dozens of local families each year.
One client who has benefitted from CancerCare’s services is young Barrow resident Lilly-Mae Grimes, who received one-to-one counselling after she suffered the loss of her biological father and two grandfathers to cancer in the space of 12 months.
Lilly’s mother, Clare Galbraith, said: “Lilly was really struggling, and she has benefited from therapy so much. I notice such a difference in her after her sessions; she’s like a different child on those days. Coming to CancerCare is an escape for her.”
Also supported by the charity were Phil and Lynn Hewson, who turned to CancerCare following Phil’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
Phil discovered he had cancer on his 60th birthday. A year later, the disease had spread to his lungs, ribs, and spine. He sadly passed away in August 2023, but not before finding a support at CancerCare’s Barrow centre.
Lynn said: “Phil always said he felt relaxed at CancerCare and that it was a nice place to come. It wasn’t like a doctor’s waiting room — it felt friendly and welcoming. It helped us both to talk to someone about how we were feeling.”
During Dave Day, CancerCare will be spreading the word about the services they offer in the local community whilst also promoting its early diagnosis campaign, a research project that has identified the most common barriers people experience when it comes to being diagnosed with cancer.
On Sunday June 22, the weekend will feature a special football match at Barrow AFC’s SO Legal Stadium, where North West Community Stars FC will face off against Dave’s Gold Stars, a team of bikers.
The ride will also raise vital funds for NSPCC Childline and the children’s charity is thrilled the motorcycle community is pulling together again. Last year over 46,000 riders took part in the ride.
There were almost 200,000 Childline counselling sessions last year and a child will contact Childline every 45 seconds on average.
Janette Drew, NSPCC North West and Cumbria community fundraising manager, said: “This is going to be another incredible event to honour the life of Dave Myers and to raise vital funds for the NSPCC Childline and CancerCare.
“Last year thousands of bikers took part and a portion of the amazing amount of money went towards the work Childline does to help children and young people in need.
“Just £4 is enough to pay for the cost of one call to Childline. We’re hoping this year’s Dave Day will be just as successful and we’re looking forward to cheering everyone on.”
Both CancerCare and NSPCC will have a presence over the weekend, engaging with the public, sharing information about their services and thanking supporters for helping them continue their vital work.
“We are incredibly grateful and honoured to be part of Dave Day 2025,” said Claire Mason, head of fundraising and marketing at CancerCare. “We look forward to being part of the celebrations and raisings funds for two important charities who do so much for the people they serve.”
Dave’s wife Liliana said: “I am deeply grateful to see people celebrating the life of Dave, the most beautiful and inspirational person I ever met. They say that ‘beautiful people do not just happen’, but I was a lucky one, because Dave happened to me.
“What an incredible privilege I’ve been given, to love and support but also to be loved and supported by Dave. As his life partner, I can undeniably say, this man has lived life to the fullest! His life was never black and white, but was an explosion of colours, sensations, emotions and vibes. All experienced while on the fast lane!
“With Dave, there was no half measures; one had to go the whole way, he had a way to get the best out of everybody around him! The room lit up when he entered because he was a light bearer!
“He performed with enormous enthusiasm and pleasure, loving every minute of his work. He used to tell me; ‘Lil, what are the chances for a kid like me to do what I do and have the life that I have Lower than winning the lottery!’”
“I can only express my gratitude for being part of this man’s extraordinary journey and for having him be such a wonderful part of me. He made me trust that this life is worth living in love, and in full, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.”
