A widow who lost her husband and a friend to motorbike crashes in the last two years has thanked the organisers of a charity event in their name. 

Rachel Mary Allen's husband of 21 years, Mike, was killed in a crash on the A419 near Blunsdon on July 6, 2022. 

In July this year, another of her friends from the Swindon biker community, Alison Perks, was killed after she collided with a tree on the B4425 near Cirencester.  

This prompted Zoe Large to organise an event at the Nine Elms pub in West Swindon, with the aim to raise money for two charities, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Mental Health Motorbike, which took place on August 25. 

Rachel said: "We would like to say thank you to Zoe Large and all the biker community for holding the charity fundraiser raising money for the two charities and for always keeping Mike's memory alive.

"The biker family have been a great support to myself and our children over the last past two years you will always hold very special places in our hearts and we will forever be grateful to you all."

Rachel added Alison was a 'beautiful friend'.

"The pain her family are going through we know so very well. I will never forget that night."

Before the event, Zoe explained why she was putting it on. 

She said: “I did a fundraiser last year as I and many other motorbikes saw our friend, work colleague and biker die in a bike crash, so I did the fundraiser in memory of him which was a small raffle that raised £250 for each charity.

“I just wanted to do another one this year as everyone uses the air ambulance when we really need it and supporting Mental Health Motorbike helps bikers to talk about what they are feeling and helps keep them safe on the road. With everything going on at the moment as well after four bikers have died in recent accidents we want to raise as much as we can for those two charities.

“At the moment we’re trying to raise prizes for the raffle and it will be £2 per square. There will be a barbecue and motorbike competitions, where we have a different way of approaching it and instead of just a prize for the dirtiest bike for example, the awards will have different names. It’s a chance for everyone to have a laugh and enjoy the sunshine."