Biker joins mammoth road trek to back Poppy Appeal

Marshall Kennedy (66) and pal Tim Shaw joined 75 other bikers in a mass road trek from Leeds to Scotland and back to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Marshall, of Church Street in Swinton, got on his Suzuki 1800 Intruder and set off from popular motorcycle cafe Squires at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds at 5am last Saturday (June 25).

He and Tim, who lives in Harworth near Tickhill, travelled from Leeds to Manchester, then up to Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness, John o’ Groats, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh before returning to Leeds.

The massive journey took them 19 hours and 50 minutes.

It was organised by the Royal British Legion and motorcyclist group the Iron Butt Association, and Marshall, a keen biker, said he was pleased to have raised £1,200 from sponsorship.

Although he does not have a military background, Marshall said he was keen to help the Royal British Legion.

Marshall said: “We all set off in 15-minute intervals and we never stopped really. We just got off the bikes to fill up with petrol and then set off again.

“There was a fantastic camaraderie and we saw lovely scenery around Loch Ness and the Loch Lomond area.

“I think it’s something that is off my bucket list now.”

Marshall said he had been supported in his adventure by his wife, Sylvia.

He added: “She said I was crazy to start with.”