This year we have two bears starting in different locations.
Bear #1 starts in Mablethorpe, on the east coast of England. Here’s a word from Michelle Gardner, the lady who donated Bear #1.
Why A Bear In Kibi’s Memory Will Be Taking Part In This Year’s Relay Riders UK, National Motorcycle Teddy Bear Relay.
[Potential Trigger Warning]
“Kibi Wade was only 16 years old when she was found at the family home on 24th July 2024 after tragically taking her own life. She struggled with her mental health for several years while dealing with relentless bullying at her secondary school. Not only was she being bullied at school, but through social media so she had no escape even after leaving school. She should have been following her dream this year, studying at hair and beauty college, but her final words to her girlfriend were… “I can’t take this anymore”. Her mum, stepmum and elder sister found her later that evening.
She came from a family of bikers, her mum, Michelle and stepmum, also called Michelle both ride bikes and now her elder brother and sister have their own bikes. Kibi and her younger sister would ride pillion on their stepmum and mum’s bikes.
Following her death, both her stepmum and elder sister were able to reach out to the charity Mental Health Motorbike for support when they were struggling and it was an honour to meet the founder Paul Oxborough (Oxo) in person at Boston Bike Night last year. The work they, like some of the smaller charities do is amazing. Her stepmum will be taking part in her third Relay Riders UK relay and given they are supporting Mental Health Motorbike this year makes it even more special.
Mum Michelle and Stepmum Michelle have set up a page to remember Kibi and raise awareness of the potentially fatal results of bullying and how it affects mental health. A local embroidery firm made us a bear, which we have named as a memorial to Kibi. Stepmum Michelle contacted Jason, one of the organisers of Relay Riders UK and asked if Kibi Bear could take part and he said he’d be honoured for that to happen as he had also lost a family member to suicide.
If we can raise awareness for mental health, prevention of bullying and help raise funds for Mental Health Motorbike then, as a family we are honoured to be part of it. We hope as Kibi bear travels through Lincolnshire (where the family currently live) and Norfolk those that knew Kibi will connect with the relay and donate.”
The bear that will be taking part in this years relay isn’t the original Kibi bear, instead a copy has been made and donated by her family in order to help raise as much money as possible for Mental Health Motorbike.
Bear #2 starts in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. Here’s a word from Mark, who donated Bear #2.
“When Jason & Tom (RRUK) told me the plans to have a second bear. And that the second starting point for the Relay this year, was to be here, in Northern Ireland… my brain went straight into thinking mode, after the initial shock and… “Ohh heck” (other words may have been used at the time)!
Already knowing Ashley who is the NI Regional Co-ordinator for MHM, who we are raising for this year, it was an obvious choice to include Ashley in the planning, if he wanted to. And of course he jumped at the chance.
After many calls and chats over coffee we agreed to make the bear as special as it needed to be. Who best to represent the ‘Norn Iron’ biking community than ‘Yer Maun’ Joey Dunlop O.B.E., M.B.E.
After more calls, and visits to the Dunlop family at Joey’s Bar, not only did we secure permission to give our bear a yellow helmet, but we also had a starting venue for the Relay. I want to extend my gratitude to Linda & Joanne Dunlop for being so acceptable and helping us.
After finding a suitable bear (complete with leather jacket & shades), we then had to think of how to create the helmet.
Following a chance visit to Knittin Kitten Yarns, Belfast (knittinkittenyarns.co.uk), and after I told Heather what it was all for, she jumped at the chance and created the helmet for ‘Bear2’ for free – not even wanting anything for the material costs!
After much pestering, Heather was finally happy to release him into our custody.
But he wasn’t done there… the jacket needed something else!
Another visit to Joey’s bar to introduce him to the Dunlop family, and to go over plans for our Relay start.
Look out for more images… he has been secretly touring the country. He might even make a few special appearances between now and the start of the Relay…
Want to meet him in person? …join him on 28th June at Joey’s Bar, Ballymoney.
Now, what do you think Bear2 should be called??”
Joey
I hope he doesn’t want to go too fast!
I have him in Scotland and I ride a steady 60! What about Steady Eddie?
I affectionately referred to him as ‘wee joey’ when I was making the helmet for him. Thankyou for entrusting me with him, it was my pleasure & honour to make his helmet. I’m a mental health first aider in my workplace and completely understand the need for them. Such excellent causes to support.
Hi Heather,
Thank you soo much for the many many hours you spent on ‘wee joey’. Everyone who has seen him has loved him, and thought it was a fantastic job you done.
Especially Joanne Dunlop who he visited last week – he spent some time sitting by the bar optics for photos.
I need to get copies of those images for the site, and to send you.
And I’ve not forgot I need to get down to do an image for you.
That’s brilliant Mark, and very lovely to hear, Tuesday to Thursday evening I’m here or Saturday afternoon.