Eddie’s still the leader of the pack

DEVON’s motorcycling community came out in a show of support at the weekend.

More than 800 biking enthusiasts rocked up to Bovey Tracey for the second Bikers in the Park event.

They were all there to see and support stunt riding legend Eddie Kidd.

Eddie, 64, was seriously injured in 1994 when a stunt went wrong, and now needs constant care.

The day was organised by Chris Sims of Bovey Tracey’s Jolly Roger Bike Shop.

Eddie and his wife Billie came down from their home in Brighton the night before and stayed in a local hotel. When they turned up at Bovey’s Mill Marsh Park on Sunday morning all 800 bikers revved their engines and hooted their horns.

‘It was a very emotional moment,’ Chris said. ‘Eddie has to fund all his care himself and we were glad to help. He understands everything around him but can only communicate through Billlie. We only confirmed he’d be well enough to come down on the Monday.’

The AFB (armed Forces Bikers) Wreckers carried out the marshalling on the day and were able to raise £500 for their charity.

A highlight of the day was a run out across the moor, when 170 bikers headed out to Moretonhampstead, Two Bridges and back via the Tavistock Inn, and Eddie was able to join them.

Chris added: ‘It was only by chance I was speaking to someone who knew Eddie. I’d said it would be nice to hve someone of his calibre attend and the next thing I knew they contacted me to say he was interested. They’d done a lot of research on the business and liked what we do.

‘Eddie is so pleased with the work we do he has agreed to become a member of the Jolly Bike family. I am ecstatic!

‘The whole day was outstanding– I can’t walk round the town without people stopping me. Roll on Bikers in the Park 3!’