Hospice patients experience ride of a lifetime on Harley Davidsons

Patients at St Barnabas House hospice were treated to the ride of a lifetime on a Harley Davidson recently.

Day Hospice and In-patient Unit patients were thrilled to be visited by bikers from the Hogsback Chapter Harley Davidson owners’ club.

It was an adventurous morning as patients spent time admiring the motorcycles and posing for photos, while some went out for short rides if they felt well enough and were physically able to do so.

It was the fifth time the bikers have ridden down from Guildford to visit the hospice, and they were given a warm welcome from patients, volunteers and staff.

The visit was organised by the Day Hospice team at St Barnabas House who plan a wide range of events and activities for people visiting the hospice, enabling them to live their lives as fully as possible.

Jools Morrison, Day Hospice Co-ordinator, said: “I’d like to say thank you once again to the Hogsback Chapter for a wonderful morning.

“We really appreciate the time they give to our patients who had the opportunity to try something they may never have done before.

“Many of our patients spend a lot of their time contending with treatment and their disease, so the experience offered a feeling of freedom and liberation.”

Mark Humphreys, who attends the Day Hospice, said: “The experience was the best. This was my first time on both a motorbike and a Harley and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Another patient, Daphne Snowden, described the bikes as “exquisite, diverse and a beautifully well-kept piece of machinery” and although she wasn’t able to go for a ride she said she would like to thank everyone involved for “so many happy memories”.

Freddie Duncan said: “Thank you for a memorable day and giving fresh energy to an old rocker.”

Paul Blanchard from Lancing added: “A great morning and good to see all the Harley Davidsons. A good ride on the pillion brought back memories of years ago. I’d like to thank all the members of the Hogsback Chapter for their time and effort to attend St Barnabas today.”

To find out more about the Day Hospice and all the services provided by St Barnabas House, please visit: www.stbh.org.uk/dayhospice