Gosport sister amazed by the response of volunteers for her brother's funeral

Dave Pitt, from Gosport, who died suddenly aged 64 this month, was a motorbike enthusiast all his life.

Mr Pitt’s pride and joy was his Harley Davidson, which he couldn’t ride for the last four years of his life after suffering a stroke.

To pay tribute to her brother, his twin Kathy Clark put a message out on Facebook asking for a volunteer to ride Dave’s bike alongside his coffin on the way to Holy Trinity Church, in Trinity Green, on Friday.

Expecting a few people to help with the message, the post has received more than 11,000 shares and more than 50 kind volunteers are expected to ride alongside Dave.

Kathy said: ‘Dave was always into his motorbikes – he absolutely loved them.

‘I remember when he brought his first one home when he was about 18 or 19. My parents went absolutely mad at him for getting one. Wherever David went, he would prefer to ride his motorbike. He’d often go off on rides and used to go out on it in all weathers – I remember him once coming home absolutely drenched!

‘He did have a car but if there was a choice between the two, it would always be his bike.

‘He used to go to bike meetings regularly and chat to other people.

‘When he wasn’t able to ride his bike after his stroke, he was quite affected by it as it was his passion.’

‘The funeral director told us that Dave’s coffin could be carried by a motorbike

‘That then got me thinking that it would be a good idea for someone to ride his Harley Davidson alongside it.’

Dad-of-two Dave had only recently got back in touch with his two daughters, Clare and Velinda, after losing contact more than 30 years ago.

Kathy said: ‘He adored those girls and they were the same with him.

‘They used to speak several times a day on the phone. He was a very generous person and he was always buying them gifts. They’re devastated and it is the saddest part about everything.

‘I can’t believe the response that we’ve had from the people who have shared the post. I expected maybe a couple of hundred at most and we are so grateful to everyone who is going to ride alongside Dave. This is exactly the way that he would have wanted it.’

Anyone who wishes to join the ride can meet the party in the car park opposite Clarence Road at 10.30am.