Lockdown Entertainment

By Richard Dowland

I would just like to tell the readers of the Sporting Motorcyclist that the old trials campaigner, Geoff Brooker, has been doing his bit to lift our spirits during lockdown and has raised a fair sum of money for charity in the process. Those of you who are Facebook friends of Geoff will know we have been treated to many hours of videos for our entertainment some serious, some informative, some humorous, some plain daft but all very entertaining.

His videos have been on trials, fishing and golfing which are his favourite sporting passions now he is too old to play football! Also videos about unblocking pipes and other household jobs we may encounter have been covered. On the trial front my favourite is the video of Geoff in full wet riding gear re enacting the time when he had just 20 minutes to change a wheel. This was early morning at the start of day three of the Scottish Six Day Trial when access to your bike is limited as the bikes are all locked in parc ferme overnight. He even had the garden hose spraying all over the place simulating the wonderful Scottish weather Centre Board as Competition Secretary. Eventually he became Vice Chairman and then a very progressive Centre Chairman being a key driving force in the introduction of transponder timekeeping to centre events. At the ACU, John was a very respected official and chaired many disciplinary hearings. He attended National Council meetings and was always forthright in his views about the sport in general. He leaves his wife Audrey, daughters Jayne, Judith and granddaughter Ellen . while doing the change of wheel and provided an enthusiastic running commentary of exactly how it was on the day, all done in his back garden.

The great thing is Geoff thought he may raise £150 or so through donations from his friends but the good news is the sum he ended up with was £515 which with gift aid made a grand total of around £643.

This sum of money has been donated by him to the Chris Lucas Trust which raises funds for research into a cure for Rhabdomyosarcoma a particular aggressive cancer which affects children and young adults. At the moment there is no cure for this cancer but the Trust has raised enough money to fund two researchers to work full time at the Marsden Hospital in Sutton where over the last few years they have achieved good results by discovering ways to make children live precious months longer.

Obviously the Trust want to keep going until a cure is found that's why all money raised is vital to the cause. Well done Geoff and all who generously gave money particularly at this time when all charities are suffering .