Updated: This week’s Unsung Heroes

We’ve just added more of nominations for your this week’s Unsung Heroes – the forum for you to publicly thank the people who’ve bailed you out. We’ll be announcing the second winners of our free Knox kit, worth £180, this Friday, December 29.

For more details on how you can nominate your Unsung Hero and scoop yourself and them top Knox safety gear and to read previous Unsung Heroes, click on the links on the right.

From Greg Snell

I would like to nominate Andy Brook who came to my aid when I was knocked off on my way home through London (as a car made a sudden U-turn).

I had only been riding for a few months and this was my first off. I was quite shaken, and didn’t have a clue what I was to do next. Andy appeared from nowhere, first he checked I was okay, then he helped me to get my bike out of the road. He even explained to us what had happened and offered to act as a witness.

Finally, he checked that both the driver and I were able to get back home before disappearing a quickly as he arrived. Although it might not sound that impressive, to me he was a lifesaver. Without his help I would have been completely lost and the situation could have turned out much worse than it did. Many thanks Andy.

From Mick McNeil:

In August of this year my T595’s engine decided to chew up a few internal parts. I bought the bike from a dealer 200 miles away and had no way of returning it except paying them £100 to pick it up.

Steve, my neighbour, gave up his day off to transport me and my bike to the dealers in his van. No moans or groans, he just said ” no problem ” , and wanted nothing more than petrol money (well, it was a 400 mile round trip).

From Andrew Houghton:

I nominate Brian the bike examiner at Leighton Buzzard, thoroughly nice bloke, I freaked him out by giving him a box of Roses in the December after I past my test.

Told him I was in for a test the next day and it was to make sure I passed. The fact I arrived on a BMW K75 must have gone past him. Anyway I nominate him because he does his job well, never gets to see the party afterwards, and is passionate about biking.

From a reader in Hull:

My mate Bob, for giving up his spare time to come and help me after I filled my bike, to the brim, with diesel! He came to where I’d left my bike at a moment’s notice. We blagged tools and jerry cans from the nearby garage (who were more than helpful to say the least, not surprising seeing as they wanted the diesel for their power washer).

He sucked out the diesel (you see, he’s done this before. If there was a masters degree in diesel extracting, he’d have it) to get it flowing and then we waited and waited. It seemed like forever till the tank was empty.

I then took the long walk with my head hung low, off to the garage I went and came back with the good stuff!

He’d spent 60-90 minutes taking the bike apart, draining the tank, putting it back together, filling it up, draining the float bowls, starting it up and followed me for a while to make sure everything was okay. He’s a flipping star – I’m a flipping cabbage!

From Marshall Umokoro:

I’ like to nominate Ian Byrne. I’ve known this guy since Feb 2001 and the day when we all met up to go to Alexandra Palace. He was introduced to me by my cousin (Jimmy Atirene). The second time we met was when we went out on a burn (April 2001).

The atmosphere was wicked, trust me! However, during it I had my first accident. My bike (FireBlade) was mashed up so bad but just about repairable.

Ian had arranged for my bike to be picked up by one of his friends and relocate it to his house until further decisions were made. While at the accident site he said to me, ” Don’t worry about the bike Marshall, the main thing is that you getting better soon ” .

Plus he added that I should not worry about the repair of the bike, he will help me as much as possible. He ended up repairing my bike for me at no charge. We still link up when possible and we both give each other grief BIG TIME!

Now, remember, I just met this guy and this what I experienced from him. What can I say? He’s one in a million!

From Adrian Berni:

I would like to put our very good friend Roy Carless forward for the following reason. When my wife and I were starting out things were not good money-wise for us. Roy had taken out a loan to buy himself a new RF 600 to despatch on.

Meanwhile his old despatch bike was sitting in the garage doing nothing and he said there was no point in selling it as he would not get much for it and would I like to have it for despatching on?

We owe so much to Roy for the kind gesture. Now, 10 years on I’m able to buy my own bike; I’ve got an R6 while Roy has a ZX6. We have since finished with despatching and just ride for fun. This would give me the opportunity to say ” Thanks ” in a way which he would appreciate.

From Nathan Jones:

I would like to nominate my dad for this prestigious award as I think he is a top bloke and top rider. Firstly it’s his fault that I am addicted to bikes! He works, voluntarily, with the Institute of Advanced Motorists as a Chief Observer, (much to my mum’s displeasure as she never sees him!)

All his spare time is taken up by training other riders to reach a better, safer standard. And before everyone gasps and says ” Boring IAM bikers ” , he rides a 2002 GSX-R600. And I assure you he does not hang around.

He rides in all weathers, he takes riders of any age, experience, and works hard to get them through. He’s constantly nagging me to take my Advanced test, which I admit I should. Everyone always says he’s a great influence on their riding and they all enjoy his rideouts, so much so that they all meet up for more punishment from dad even after they have passed the test.

He still manages to find the time to go to shows, racing and spend time with me and helps improve my technical and riding knowledge He is a top bloke is Donald Jones (Donald Duck to all his mates ‘cos when he goes out on his bike it always rains!).