The last time Phyllis Betts rode pillion on a motorbike, she came off!
That was 45 years ago. But it didn’t put her off wanting to have another go.
Riding on a Harley Davidson was on Phyllis’ bucket list
Phyllis, a patient at Nottinghamshire Hospice, has always wanted to get back in the saddle and fulfil her dream of riding on a Harley Davidson.
That dream has now finally come true, thanks to Roy Radford and fellow bikers from the Sherwood Harley Davidson chapter who came in convoy to the hospice to take Phyllis for a ride.
Phyllis, who has COPD and cancer, rode pillion on the back of Roy’s Harley Davidson Ultra. “I’ve always had a fascination with Harleys,” she said. “They’re the bees knees, they were then and they are now. So when staff at the hospice asked what was on my bucket list that’s what I said. It was just a pipe dream – I never thought it would actually happen! I was excited about it and nervous too. You have to be careful what you wish for!
“I absolutely loved it. It was a very smooth ride. And now I’ve got a badge, I’ve been made honorary member of the Chapter!”
In her younger days Phyllis, originally from Derbyshire, used to ride pillion on a big silver Triumph, enjoying rides out to Matlock Bath and other popular biker destinations.
The group of six bikers took Phyllis and hospice nurse Bekki, herself a biker, out to Lowdham to pay a surprise visit to Phyllis’ daughter Becky who works as a chef in the World’s End pub there.
“We’re delighted to be able to help,” said Roy Radford, who has been Director of the Sherwood Chapter for the past six years. “It doesn’t cost anything and if it makes somebody happy it’s the thing to do.
“There is a wonderful camaraderie among the Harley community and we’re always happy to help with things like this.”
When other patients at the Day Therapy centre heard what Phyllis was doing they wanted to sponsor her, and she has now raised more than £400 for Nottinghamshire Hospice.
The Harley trip links in to Nottinghamshire Hospice’s Care at Christmas campaign which aims to give patients and their families the greatest gift of all this Christmas, time together to make lasting memories. The campaign aims to raise £50,000 which will enable the hospice to provide compassionate care, warmth and festive spirit to five families every single day in December, including Christmas day.
