Bikers form funeral procession in honour of charity run founder

MORE than 50 bikers joined the funeral procession in honour of a founder of a charity Easter egg run.

Michael Weal, of Hare Hatch, passed away in February following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis. He was 77.

More than 100 mourners attended the ceremony, which took place at Reading Crematorium last Friday. Some some had to stand outside because the venue was at capacity.

This included bikers from the Thames Vale Vultures, for which he became president in 2017, and his three daughters Samantha, Michaela and Francesca and grandchildren William, Megan and Ben.

Mr Weal’s coffin was decorated in red roses and poppies. It was carried into the church by pallbearers including Samantha’s husband Peter, her brother-in-laws Chris Hunt and Andy Bowman, Chav Mussared, Sean Stanbridge and Gerry Merrit.

A funeral procession began from Mr Weal’s home in Blakes Lane at noon, where dozens of bikers from across the country and in Berkshire set off for Mr Weal’s final journey to the crematorium.

Samantha had posted to social media to invite residents and those who knew Mr Weal, known as Mick, to join the procession.

Born in 1947, Mr Weal grew up in Highfield Park in Wargrave and his family was one of the first to live there when it was built. He moved to Hare Hatch in the late Seventies with his late wife Annette, where they raised their children.

He worked as a factory manager for Manrose, a company that manufactures ventilation fans and equipment from 1992 until he retired.

He found his love for motorbikes when he was a teenager and joined the Thames Vale Vultures in about 2003 and led charity fundraisers including the annual Berkshire Egg Run, which collects Easter eggs every year to help disadvantaged children and families.

Mr Weal also took on the role of ride leader, to take the group on motorcycle tours including from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 2005, which raised more than £4,000 for the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.

The service was led by celebrant and friend Colin Hawkins, who is also a member of the Vultures. He gave the family tribute and welcomed mourners to the service and focused on his life and his dedication to the Thames Vale Vultures.

Mr Hawkins described his friend as “straight talking” and a “loyal friend” who was dedicated to his family. He said: “Mick joined the Vultures more than 21 years ago, about a month after it began.

“From day one, he made his presence clear. Mick took on the role of ride leader and would sort out the route.

“Following the success of our first long ride, Mick arranged more long distance adventures. We went back to Scotland, where we did the NC500, before it was that well-known.

“We rode to France and we visited the landing beaches in northern France and he led us down to Cornwall and Devon on those famous Vulture holiday camp days. In between all the excursions, he led almost every monthly ride out.

“Mick researched the destination so we never needed an official guide in France. He told us all about the landing beaches and he was able to tell us exactly what happened at each and every one of them.

“When we rode to see the famous tapestry, he was able to tell us all about it. I did a bit of fact checking to see if he was right and he was absolutely spot on. Over the years, to many of us, he was a listening ear and a counsellor and he’d be someone who would be there whenever and wherever he was needed.”

He added: “He will be missed as a friend and to some of us he was more like family than a friend.”

The ceremony opened with Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy.

Mrs Lucas, from Charvil, thanked friends and family for attending the service on behalf or her and her siblings.

She said: “Up until the day that our dad died, we never lived a single day on this earth without him.

“It is an honour and a heartache to stand before you as we celebrate the life of our dad, say thanks for him being our dad and to say our goodbyes.

“Thank you for the overwhelming amount of support you have given to us and we hope that you continue to cherish your own memories of our dad.”

During the ceremony a photo presentation was played to the music of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan which featured wedding photos, family photos and memories of when he led ride outs and the charity egg runs with the group.

Members of the Vultures were then invited to tear up pieces of bread and place them on Mr Weal’s coffin in a “heartwarming” tribute to the group.

Mr Hawkins closed the service before the recessional music, Jumpin’ Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones was played.

Donations in Mr Weal’s memory will go to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust. To donate, visit https://michaelweal.muchloved