Fitting remembrance of Ryan's life on a day of much emotion

Rodney Edwards • Published 8 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Willie Parker, (centre), pictured with friends of his late son Ryan.

A motorbike run in memory of Ryan Parker took place at the weekend and was a "complete success", according to his "proud" parents.

88 bikes took part in the 100 mile route, with bikers coming from all over Ireland to remember the Newtownbutler teenager who died last year in a motorbike accident.

It was also the Parker family's first fund-raiser for the motorbike safety park they want to build in memory of their beloved son.

And what a day it was for them and the memory of Ryan. The event at the Leggykelly Inn outside Newtownbutler, which included the bike run, activities for all the family and live music brought in nearly 5000 euro for their fund. Quite a feat in these hard economic times. Showing a real sense of support and generosity for the Parker's cause.

Ryan's mother Bernie said she felt her son's presence on Sunday: "I felt Ryan was with us the whole day and was so proud of him. I didn't think it was possible for me to feel more proud of Ryan but after the weekend I am. The big crowd just showed me how much he was thought of, along with the pure kindness of the bikers who took part. They are just gentlemen and ladies. We had a splendid day, it really was unbelievable. We will continue to raise money for the safety park as long as there is breath in our bodies. It would be nice to have somewhere for the young people to train and have a spin on their bike in a safe environment. We are determined to make it happen and want to thank God and thank everyone that played their part in getting us this far," she said.

His father Willie, who organised the day along with Ryan's brother Joe, found the experience very moving: "I got very emotional when I seen the bikes taking off because they were doing it all in memory of our Ryan. They took off from Newtownbuter to Manorhamilton and then back through Florencecourt and Blacklion and on the way back they visited Ryan's grave. It was very emotional seeing all the bikes sitting at the grave," he said.

Mr. Parker and his family met several families at the weekend who have lost loved ones as a result of motorbike accidents.

"We met about seven or eight people who are going through what we're doing through; families who have lost loved ones in the same way we lost Ryan. Once they started telling us we realised they were feeling exactly the same as ourselves. But some of them were going back five or six years, some of them was even 16 years back. We were able to relate to them. We knew what they were going through and we found it a good help to us. Meeting them at the weekend made us feel like we weren't on our own.

"All in all it was an unbelievable weekend. We had a 40 foot lorry out with bands on it. Everybody mucked in to help us set up. We were under a lot of pressure to get everything done in time and hours before it started it was just lashing it down. The rain was coming down straight, we didn't think it was going to clear in time but it did, thank goodness. We'd like to thank everyone for all their help. We are very proud and know Ryan would be proud too. Thank you to all," smiled a very humble and moved father.

To help out with future fund-raising events, donate money (however small) or to discuss the idea of their motorbike safety park, phone Willie Parker on 079 8000 4227.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Jul 10

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