Wife's thanks to Rotherham bikers after memorial ride to popular Ray Hall

Jo Hall spoke to the 120 riders joined a ride in tribute to her husband Ray (57), who died in a smash on the M18 last month.

Mrs Hall, of Oval Road, East Dene, revealed Mr Hall’s passion for two-wheeled transport had begun early and he had passed his bike test more than 20 years before bagging his full driving licence.

“Biking was his life — he was a biker through and through,” said Mrs Hall. 

“Ray would do anything for anyone and I remember him helping out at lots of events, often acting as a marshall.

Rotherham Riders organised the rideout to the Imperial Cafe near Retford — a favourite spot for Mr and Mrs Hall to ride for afternoon tea — two weeks ago to raise funds in memory of Mr Hall.

Donations of £600 have so far been made for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, whose crews tended him at the roadside following his accident on February 13.

“We have always been big supporters of the air ambulance because we know what a great service they provide and how they can mean the difference between someone going home or not,” said Mrs Hall.

“The rideout was hard but it has been so heart-warming to see all the people coming together and the support from people in the biking community has been overwhelming.

“Nathan Hall and Simon Cranswick from Rotherham Riders have done so much, including organising the rideout, but people I didn’t know knew Ray have also sent me messages.”

Former pipe fitter Mr Hall was riding his Honda Blackbird at the time of the accident on February 13, which police believe saw him losing his balance and falling into the side of a lorry moving off from traffic lights on the southbound exit slip road at Wadworth. 

Mrs Hall, who is also a biker, took part in the tribute ride on her Triumph, said the Honda was just his latest bike as he regularly changed vehicles according to his preference.

“He would be out and about and see a bike he fancied and go and get one of them,” she recalled.

Mr Hall had suffered health problems in later life, having treatment for cancer eight times, Mrs Hall said, and had suffered the loss of his mum at a young age.

“He found a really sense of belonging and family with the biking community,” said Mrs Hall, whose two daughters are also bikers.

“The support we’ve had has been overwhelming, just wonderful.”

Mr Hall’s family describe him as “a much loved husband, devoted father, brother, uncle, and a true friend to all who knew him”.

Nathan Hall said Rotherham Riders had been keen to pay tribute to Mr Hall, whom he said had “a real passion for bikes”.

His funeral — complete with a motorcycle hearse — will be held at St Mary’s RC Church in Herringthorpe at noon on March 27 and is expected to be attended by many mourners arriving on motorbikes.

It will be followed by Mr Hall’s “last ride” to Doncaster, where he grew up, for a burial service.

q Police are still appealing for anyone who saw the incident where Mr Hall was fatally injured at 2.50pm on February 13 to get in touch on 101.