Over 20,000 bikers celebrated Dave Day in Barrow
Despite the wet weather, there are large crowds in the town to celebrate Hairy Biker Dave Myers.
It is the second ride-out in honour of the biking legend.
Last year an estimated 46,000 motorcyclists, including Dave’s Hairy Bikers co-star Si King and Dave’s wife Lili, completed a ride from north London to Barrow.
This year, officials estimate at least 20,000 bikers rode into town, although that is not a definite number at this stage of the event.
Crowds lined the streets to welcome them into the town and raise money for two charities – CancerCare North Lancashire & South Cumbria and NSPCC Childline.
His wife, Liliana, said: “I lost Dave to cancer and the statistics are dire, telling us that one in two people will be affected by derivatives of this illness in the following years.
“What we can do as a community is to support institutions that help families who go through this ruthless illness and Dave Day does exactly that.
“Our efforts are geared towards giving every person who attends the weekend a good time while raising money to alleviate the distress caused to so many who are going through cancer.”
Last year, the event raised £127,460.
Riders left the Ace Café in London and travelled north via the M6, picking up riders on the way.
A concert featuring Thin Lizzy tribute band Darren Wharton’s Renegade entertained before Europe’s leading and longest running AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells top the bill.
Today, Sunday June 22, free activities in Barrow town centre include the On the Edge motorbike stunt show, a food and drink festival and a motorcycle exhibition organised by Barrow BID.
There will also be a health and wellbeing event in Barrow Park and a Dave Myers Exhibition at the Dock Museum and a celebration dinner with Si King and Lili Myers.
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.”
