Bikers pay tribute to Hurst Green dad who died in head-on collision

The ride on Sunday (September 20), was organised at short notice by Lewis Isted, co-founder of East Sussex bikers club.

Lewis, 23, received a message on Facebook from a Sarah Anderson who shared her heartbreak over losing her partner in the crash in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Sarah asked if the bikers club could arrange for members to ride past her house in Hurst Green on Sunday, the first anniversary of her partner’s tragic death, and Lewis wanted to help.

“The story took me back a bit, I was overwhelmed by it – it was heartbreaking,” he said.

“Their son who has learning difficulties was just 14 when he died.”

Lewis, who lives in Hailsham, arranged for bikers to join him on the ride on Sunday and said he was amazed by the turnout.

“It was absolutely amazing. I was genuinely overwhelmed at how it turned out,” he said.

“On the day I thought, this is going to be a winner or a loser and it turned out to be a great success.”

Bikers from East Sussex bikers club, South of England Bikers, Kent Rideouts and 1060 Riders Club took part in the tribute ride.

They set off from the Boship services on the A22 Hailsham Bypass and stopped off at Route 1066 Cafe in Robertsbridge before ending outside Sarah’s house in Hurst Green.

Lewis said Sarah and her family were ‘over the moon’ by the huge turnout.

“The look on their faces was amazing,” he added.

He thanked everyone who took part in the event at such short notice. He also said a special thank you to Stephen Dunn, marshall and admin of 1066 Riders Club, who helped arrange for bikers to come along.

Sarah said the tribute ride on Sunday was ‘unforgettable and humbling’.

She told Lewis: “It helped ease a hard day – I’ll never forget hearing the roar of the bikes.

“It was unforgettable and humbling that you all came together for a teenage boy.

“Each and everyone of you are amazing, compassionate people. I’m so glad it was your group I joined for my short notice plea.

“You did amazing – a perfect day to mark the first anniversary of a fallen biker.”

Talk is increasing of further lockdowns in the UK. What do you think of the situation? Join the Big Conversation and have your say on everything from healthcare to how the pandemic has affected you personally and how we make our communities stronger: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bc-eastbourne