Our Legends
No longer with us but their souls live on in the spirit, ethos and values of our charity. This is a page of respect for members of our community who have really moved the charity forward. These are our much loved legends. Back to the team pageOur Legends
Sadly the charity has lost some of our much loved team, this space has been setup to keep their legacy alive. With these people the charity wouldn’t be where it is today and for this we are eternally greatful. Gone but never forgotten x
Dale Caffrey - The man who inspired this charity
We lost Dale in 2019 and he became the reason Mental Health Motorbike was established. With the support of Dale’s family and best friend Jay Lucas our founder Paul Oxborough came up with a plan to leave a lasting legacy in Dales name. Paul had known both Dale and Jay from when they were 11 years old. Dale was a father, husband, son, brother and friend to many and losing him left a great void in many people’s lives. We celebrate this great man by making Mental Health Motorbike the amazing charity it is today.
What is really inspiring is the charity has supported Dale’s wife Lorna over the last few years and she has not only become a mental health first aider and regular volunteer with the charity she has set up her own mental health talking group for men and women in her own town.
There are so many stories to be told about Dale and this is something we may do over the next few years. Watch this space.
Donna Proctor - Female MAG Activist
You may wonder why someone is on this page who we lost to a tragic accident in 2006 years before Mental Health Motorbike came into existence.The simple reason is though Donna Proctor worked hard on a voluntary basis for the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) this was nowhere near the extent to which she altered the lives of many if she could and there is absolutely no doubt that, had MHMotorbike existed prior to her demise, parties for fund raising would have been organised by her.
It is particularly poignant, in making a significant donation in her name, that MAG Western Region lost one of its own in the very way for which MHMotorbike was set up – to be there for those who are desperate for help.
Here are a few thoughts of those close to Donna.
“I remember being persuaded to visit MAG Mid-Wilts and Bristol MAG meetings, to winter parties, and Halloween parties. Not to mention numerous motorcycle rallies, including the Duk Dik, V-Twin, Ogri and a few others. I know that she seemed to be able to sense when a ‘new’ BSA was put back on the road anywhere within about 30 miles of Stroud. She suddenly appeared one Friday afternoon in Cirencester, at the car park where myself and a friend, Nick, just happened to bump into each other regularly (me on a BSA C15 and Nick on a Triumph Bonnie if we were lucky), which soon ended up being a visit to the Whitminster Hotel and Glos MAG. We decided to do a membership ‘swap’, I’d join MAG, and she’d join the BSA Owners Club – needless to say my MAG membership lasted a great deal longer than hers of the BSAOC. Outside of MAG, I was dragged all over a large area to see blues bands in pubs (which, in the Forest of Dean didn’t even seem to be on maps), bike shows, and bike meets – she was almost my social secretary. When I decided to put myself forward as MAG Regional Rep, she was a great support, and the sense of loss when she passed away soon after was almost complete.”
“As for my memories of Donna is that she could be doggedly stubborn. If she was on a mission, there was no stopping her. However, the thing that I remember most was her infectious giggle and her zest for life.”
“As I write this, I’m reminded of not only one of the best friends I ever had but of her overwhelming desire to help people, her energy seemed unending and once she got it in her head to help people or a cause there was no stopping her. She raised tens of thousands of pounds for MAG heading up her little team of willing workers organising the many Easter Duk Dik Rallies and hundreds of thousands for various charities and causes. Always tenacious with her quest until the job was done which is why I have no doubt MHMotorbike would have been one of those causes and is the reason we, MAG Western Region, have decided to make this generous donation in her memory”
Louise Williamson - The Lady with red hair
Louise was tiny and had bright red hair but my goodness did she leave a lasting impression. She was part of the Rebel Ladies biker group when we poached her to help us organise the charity. Her admin skills, love for life, pole dancing and her friends has meant her loss has been very difficult for so many of us. When you met Louise she made it very clear from the first 10 seconds she is not taking any nonsense but underneath this was a 24 carat heart of solid gold. She was a true friend of our charity and leaves so many people missing her. One of life’s true diamonds x
Dave Martin - Inventor and all round good guy
ave was part of Mental Health Motorbike from the early days, like many he never quite sussed out how we got him so involved. But he led our virtual rideouts every Sunday during the pandemic. He always had a project on the go and was known for his sense of adventure and sheer determination at fighting cancer. After a four and a half year battle we sadly lost this incredible man. Mental health Motorbike carries forward Dave’s grit and determination not to give in, much loved within our community, his his DNA runs through the charity and the #getoutdostuff
To find out more about Dave’s legacy and The #getoutdostuff adventure grants visit https://www.armchairadventurefestival.com/getoutdostuff