A pensioner celebrating his 90th birthday with his family at home in Newcastle was surprised when he answered a knock on the door to find a group of motorcyclists with a Harley Davidson Trike for him to ride on.
Secretary of the Northumbria Widows Sons and Reivers Masonic Motorcycle Association Tom Stewart, received a telephone call from Joe Thompson’s family asking if it was possible to help surprise their father on his birthday.
Joe has been a motorcyclist all of his life riding BSA’s, Norton’s, Triumph’s, and he only sold his last motorcycle recently. Joe’s always wanted to get back on a bike and the family came up with the idea of a special birthday Trike ride on a Harley Davidson.
A rallying call was put to the Widow’s Sons for assistance and without hesitation a number of volunteers came forward.
Tom said: “Joe had no idea of the birthday surprise and his daughter and family were able to keep everything a secret.
“We took off for a ride with Joe riding pillion on the Trike flanked by a guard of honour of our other bikes and went to Ponteland. Sadly, the weather was awful but Joe seemed to enjoy it.”
“He was amazed at the kindness of the lads who took the time to let him ride a Trike. When he got back home, he sat with a cup of tea and was so chuffed to bits that he had managed to get back on a bike at his age”
Joe’s daughter, Maureen