By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A kind-hearted motorbike rider has completed his 1,600 mile adventure from Southport in the UK ro Mijas in Spain, to raise funds for a close friend and his family.
Graeme Thow took on the challenge on a Husa Berg FE 501 off road enduro bike to support Baz Fleming, from Southport, who is terminally ill after contracting a brain tumour.
He has already raised over £21,000, with people able to donate here: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Ride4Baz
Graeme was cheered on his way as he set off from outside Silccok’s Carousel and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant in Southport on Friday, 27th September 2024.
He was delighted to make it all the way, as he was given a warm welcome to his friend Baz, Baz’ partner Karen Waind, 54, and their daughter, Jasmine Fleming, 22.
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Baz, his partner, Karen Waind, 54, and their daughter, Jasmine Fleming, 22, moved to live in Spain 15 years ago to set up the Adventure Rider Centre there.
Graeme, a 61-year-old engineer from Woolton in south Liverpool, wants to raise as much money as he can after the heartbreaking news that his close friend, Baz, 59, from Southport, has been diagnosed with a malignant tumour that is sadly terminal.
Along the way, he met up with several friends, figures in the motorbike world and strangers along the way, recording video messages of support for Baz and his family to see.
On his arrival, Graeme said: “Big hugs from all of us!
“Today was everything and more than we ever hoped for, proper big hugs, tears and joy.
“Baz, Kaz and Jaz loved everything we have done and all the messages of love and support from you all.
“All we set out to do was to find a way to make them feel loved, appreciated and supported at this most terrible time in their lives.
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“It has been an honour to have been able to hold that door open for you all to show them your love, and boy do they feel that love now.
“You have all been amazing and filled their broken hearts with love, thank you for all your support.
“Baz got to hear the engine roar up close and personal.
“Thank you all so much for making our friends feel so loved.
“I am blown away by the support but then I knew once the door was held open, there would be many like me who know how humble and amazing they are and they don’t even know it.”
Part of Graeme’s inspiration came when he was among bikers who took part in the ‘Dave Day’ ride in honour of Hairy Biker Dave Myers.
Graeme, who has three daughters and two grandchildren, with a third grandchild on the way, said: “In May this year my friend Baz Fleming was told the devastating news that he had a brain tumour.
“A biopsy confirmed it as a stage 4 glioblastoma malignant tumour that is inoperable and terminal.
“Baz is now being cared for by his loving partner Kaz and daughter Jaz, but he is weakening quickly. This beautiful family only has a short time left together.
“Over the last 15 years the family have dedicated their lives to giving everyone visiting the Adventure Rider Centre (ARC) in Mijas, the most amazing and memorable experiences.
“They have always given the friendliest of welcomes and made everyone feel like part of a bigger ARC family, meeting new friends from all over the world from novices like me to the world enduro legend Graham Jarvis.
“They really are the nicest people you could ever meet, nothing is ever too much.
“They have had to overcome some difficulties like many of us over the years, but this situation is so difficult and heartbreaking for them, that they have had to close down the ARC. The future is so sad and uncertain with their source of income now gone.
“Please share and let’s try to raise as much as we possibly can for this beautiful family in such a sad and difficult situation.”
Graeme’s itinerary:
DAY 1 – Friday 27th Sep 11:30am – Southport Carousel to Ponderosa Café, horseshoe pass 2pm, riding on road only. PM – Ponderosa cafe to Meiford ride Offroad with RM Trail Riding (Camp at WOR event)
DAY 2 – Saturday 28th Sep Am – Steve Ireland’s WOR Events Enduro Play day in Meiford Pm – Yamaha Offroad Experience in Llanidloes , Geraint, Rowan and Dylan Jones Pm –Walters Arena “Home of Dawn to Dusk” Nick Plumb. (Camp in Neath)
DAY 3 – Sunday 29th Sep Am – Ride Offroad Trans Euro Trail (TET) towards Newport. Pm – Ride Onroad to Raleighs Cross Inn, Taunton. (Camp overnight).
DAY 4 – Monday 30th Sep Am – Dave Thorpe Honda Off Road Centre, Taunton Pm – Ride Offroad (TET) to Oakhampton, (Camp overnight)
DAY 5 – Tuesday 1 st Oct Am – Ride Offroad (TET) and Onroad from Oakhampton to Plymouth Pm – JD Racing, Plymouth. Oil, filters and tyre change. (Camp overnight),
DAY 6 – Wednesday 2 nd Oct Pm – Ferry Plymouth to Santander, Spain
DAYs 7, 8 and 9– Thursday 3rd Oct to Saturday 5th Oct Pm – Ride Off Road from Santander, towards Mijas Pueblo Spain, (Camping overnight)
DAY 10 – Sunday 6th Oct Am – Ride Offroad into Mijas Pueblo, Spain PM – Meet Lyndon Poskitt, ride together to meet Baz, Kaz and Jaz (Big Hugs xxx)
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
