Motorbike-Loving Care Home Resident Rallies Through Dorchester

More than 120 motorbikes roared through Dorchester high street in honour of a care home resident’s special wish.

Lifelong motorbike fanatic, Joe, who lives at Maiden Castle House care home, travelled in the sidecar of a motorbike to the Top O’ Town car park where he was surprised to be met by 126 motorbike riders who then travelled with him through Dorchester. Afterwards, the bikers were invited back to the care home on Gloucester Road for tea and cake while chatting with Joe about their shared love of motorbikes, much to the delight of Joe’s daughter, Nicola.

The special event took place on Saturday 13 April in response to Joe’s wish to ride on a motorbike for the first time in 20 years. Emma Norman, Activities Lead at Maiden Castle House, put out a ‘shout-out’ to the local biker community to organise a surprise motorbike rally for Joe who were only too keen to help.

Kind-hearted local residents who supported the event included John Bramble who led the charge from the local Bikers for Action SW group, Richard Lucas provided a sidecar for Joe to sit in, and Will Badman captured photos so that Joe had mementoes of the day.

Joe said: “It was a great day and didn’t expect so many people to be there. I enjoyed it very much.”

Ash Smith, Home Manager at Maiden Castle House, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of bikers who turned up to support Joe and the number of people who lined the streets to wave as he zoomed past.

Ash added: “At Care South, we pride ourselves on getting to know the individual likes and dislikes of the residents in our care, including any dreams and wishes that they may have, in the hope that we can safely make them happen. It was lovely to see Joe having a fantastic day with the help and support of the local community.”