1st April 2016
Balhousie Care Home Resident becomes Luncarty’s very own ‘Hells Angel’
A young-at-heart resident at a local care home became Perthshire’s version of a Hells Angel last week, fulfilling a lifelong dream to experience riding a Harley Davidson.
Marjory McGibbon, a 63-year-old resident at Balhousie Luncarty Care Home, seized the opportunity to jump on the back with Joe Day, one of the bikers from a local group of Harley Davidson motorbike riders called the Black Cherries when he visited on Good Friday.
Joe, the proud owner of a Harley Davidson, caused quite a stir when he arrived at the care home to arrange for a group of the bikers to deliver chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday when Marjory heard the motorcycle revs. Joe was more than happy to help Marjory fulfil her ambition and took her on several loops of the home and gardens, much to Marjory’s delight.
Tracy
McEwan, Home Manager at Balhousie Luncarty Care Home, wasn’t going to say no to
such a fun request. Tracy commented:
“Marjory is fully mobile and was raring to have a go, so, after doing the necessary safety checks, I just told her to hold on tight! She was literally shaking with excitement and completely in her element. It was lovely and not something you see a resident do every day!”
Marjory said:
“It was just wonderful. Even now, I’m still smiling about it! Joe was just brilliant and I felt very safe on his motorcycle. I told my son and he wished he’d been there to see it, although I think he’d have like a shot on one of the bikes too. In my 63 years, I have never been on a Harley Davidson, so it was an amazing experience and one I won’t forget. I just wanted him to go faster and faster!”
Over the Easter weekend, the Black Cherries delivered 140 Easter eggs as part of their Easter Egg Ride to four Balhousie Care Homes across Tayside and Perth including St Ronan’s in Dundee, Antiquary in Arbroath, Lisden in Kirriemuir and Luncarty in Perthshire. At each home, the bikers were welcomed with tea, coffee, bacon rolls, cakes and sandwiches.
The Dundee-based Harley Davidson group take part in a lot of charity events annually as well as taking part in community events. Joe commented:
“We has a great time visiting the four care homes last Sunday. We take part in a lot of events throughout the year and this one came about as a member of our group works for Balhousie and suggested we came along with our Harley Davidsons. It was fantastic seeing the residents’ faces and how much joy our Harley’s brought.
“Marjory in particular was so excited. It was really lovely to see how much it meant to her getting a shot on my bike. She kept saying not to slow down, but I took the bike at a sedate pace in the car park! We were worried the weather might have spoiled things, but we had made a promise to visit, so come rain hail or shine, we were there.”
Tracy added:
“The residents here at Luncarty were just thrilled to meet the bikers and some of their families. It was a spectacular site seeing all 12 bikes lined up in our car park and the residents enjoyed hearing about their adventures. We hope the Black Cherries come back to visit us again soon. We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the Black Cherries.”
To find out more about Balhousie Care Group, visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk
ENDS
For further information contact Anna Gunn on 01738 658187 or a.gunn@volpa.co.uk
Image Details
Here is a zip file link to all images: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sonx1gp79frwd0l/Bikers.zip?dl=0
On
bike: Marjory McGibbon with Joe Day from the Black Cherries at Balhousie
Luncarty Care Home
Wearing
pink jacket: Betty McKay at Balhousie Luncarty Care Home
Black
& white stripe top on bike: Jean Reid at Balhousie St Ronan’s Care Home
Lady
in blue: Margaret Stevenson with Pauline Day from the Black Cherries at
Balhousie St Ronan’s Care Home