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Taking The Carousel To Woodlands Hospice
Blog Date - 11 May 2014
The day before I read a post on Facebook, the post is as follows :-
********BIKERS********
A friend of mine as asked a favour of us bikers.
His friend has terminal cancer and has not got a lot of time left, he wanted to go to the 'Carousel' at Southport this Sunday 11th May to see the bikes, he used to ride himself and just wanted to see them one last time, Unfortunately his condition has got worse and he is unable to go. . . . So. . . .
What if we took the Carousel to him. If anyone can spare an hour of their time this Sunday come and join me and a few of the British Bulldogs MCC @ Woodlands Hospice (part of Fazakerley Hospital) at 2.00pm
(postcode to follow)
Please share.
That to me strikes me as a darn fine excuse for a ride out. So it is I find myself and the gf up on a Sunday morning checking both 125's out and kitting up. There is something of a problem with the day though. The weather. First thing brought rain so heavy I feared for my gutters. The forecast suggests that a wet suit may be more suitable today rather than leathers. I make sure to wear all my waterproof gear and advise the gf to do the same. That said, when we set off under heavy skies the rain has abated for now and there's even dry patches on the road.
First we meet with 3 friends at Westhoughton and spend a while chewing the fat. As we ride to our next rendezvous just north of St Helens we're joined by another friend. There's 6 of us in our convoy now. We're the first at St Helens and I fear I've made an error in the time or meeting place. With the joy of modern mobile phones I confirm I am correctly positioned in the space time continuum so it's everyone else that's late.
A handful of the British Bulldogs finally arrive. There follows well over half an hour of confusion and waiting while we see if anyone else is joining us. Bikes are looked at, victims are teased and the usual extraction of urine carries on as ever when bikers get together. Finally someone dons a helmet and we set off for a short ride to Fazakerly.
It seems the weather is on our side. We ride down the East Lancs road in a stiff breeze and heavy cloud but the rain stays in the clouds and it's not cold.
As we arrive at Fazakerly Hospital we regroup then wind our way through a complex of narrow lanes, car parks, buildings and junctions to Woodlands Hospice. Refreshingly the hospice is sharp and modern. As we turn in and mess around getting in each other's way trying to park some staff and patients come out to greet us. I don't know the bloke that we're here for. I don't know his family or his circumstances. What I see are smiling nurses and relatives, a couple of elderly gentlemen in wheelchairs and a comfortably large group of bikers having a chat and catching up.
By luck or design an ice cream van pulls up. The sun has made an effort to poke out between the clouds warming the day and making these waterproofs too hot. Soon enough I notice I could be at the Carousel as it's all here. Bikers, ice cream, chit-chat with friends and acquaintances and a cluster of motorcycles of all kinds. This doesn't feel like charity or sympathy for the poorly patients. This feels like any other biker hang out, Rivi, Box Hill or Devils Bridge for example. I do hope that is what the poorly gentleman is hoping for, I like to think so.
The only thing out of the everyday was a perfectly brief speech from a relative, his son I believe, to thank us all for turning up. No thanks needed for me, I've just done what I love to do on any Sunday, hang out with the bikers. The only difference is the venue.
After that our circle of friends depart and I lead us by accident rather than design to Ormskirk and a pub for a welcome meal. After our meal we take a ride home through the pretty villages of Bruscough, Rufford and Croston. All though the day the rain stays off. We have a few minor drops on the last couple of miles but we're home safe and dry. Can't complain at all about that can you!
I wish the gentleman at the hospice "Bon Voyage" on his last journey. I don't know him or anything about him except that he used to ride motorcycles too. Also thanks to Woodlands hospice for helping him and many others make their last journey.
Reader's Comments
DaisyDuke said :-
It was a priveledge to have been part of this ride out today, like Ren I didnt know the guy personally, but having been through a similar experience with my best friend a few years ago whereby several of us bikers took our ride to her in Longridge Hospice; I felt compelled to take the ride out to meet him, It was lovely to see him smile even through his obvious discomfort, I wish him,his friend and family much love.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
shirley said :-
Very nice write up.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Sharon - Ghost Bat said :-
My mum was cared for by St Ann's Hospice and I therefore know from personal experience the wonderful work hospices do and how much quality they can bring to the life of the client, their family and friends. It is always a privilege to be part of any work or event hosted by a hospice. As a new biker I am always moved to see how much bikers are willing to do for charity and there fellow bikers. It was very touching to be part of this ride out today. I sincerely hope it made the gentleman and his family and friends we all came to see smile. Thank you for the invite we were all honoured to have been there.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
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