Over £1000 raised by bikers in ride out of support for Lincolnshire teen's bereaved family

Hundreds of motorcyclists from across Lincolnshire have come together in memory and support of a much-loved teenage girl who died at her home in late July.

Kibi Wade (Barrett) passed away on July 24, aged 16, where it’s believed she had taken her own life as a result of bullying. Following the news, a memorial ride was organised to raise money for the funeral costs.

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Taking place on Sunday, September 1, it attracted more than 170 riders for a trip across the county and raised over £1000 to pay for a headstone and its engraving. It’s now hoped to become a yearly event, raising money for suicide awareness charities.

Two days later, a further 71 machines joined a funeral procession from Louth, led by a Lincolnshire Police rider, and members of the Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service (LEBBS).

“The response has been overwhelming,” Kibi’s stepmum, and LEBBS volunteer, Michelle Gardner told MCN. “We expected a few bikes, certainly, but the overwhelming amount that turned up was just unbelievable.

“Lots of people – people we don’t even know – are all saying the same message ‘bullying is not acceptable.’”

Kibi would regularly go pillion on rides and had begun discussing getting her own motorcycle ahead of going to college in September.

“It’s family,” Kibi’s mum, Michelle Barrett, added. “Knowing that you’re supported by this big family of bikers, standing beside you and saying, ‘we’re with you in this’ it’s lovely, it really is.”

The memorial ride was organised by 31-year-old Emily Holmes, a friend of the family who had also experienced bullying at the same school.

“I just couldn’t believe it, because when I thought back to me at 16, I was really depressed and relate to her, but I just couldn’t believe that she thought she had to do that to get away from it.

“I thought about what I could do now. I do organise quite a lot of charity rides, so I thought I can do that,” Emily added. “I couldn’t have done it without the marshals, they were really helpful.”

To offer your support, visit kibismemory.co.uk now, or search ‘Kibi’s Memory’ on Facebook.