Angus motorcycle star Andy Lawson’s grateful family have revealed for the first time their huge gratitude for the “overwhelming” outpouring of respect in the wake of the young racer’s tragic death.
Andy’s legacy is to help those competing on the course that bore witness to his greatest triumph.
The Arbroath rider was on the cusp of a stellar career in road racing when he lost his life at the Ulster Grand Prix in August.
His death shocked the sport and an outpouring of respect for the 25-year-old led to a hero’s homecoming ashundreds of bikers from far and wide formed a convoy behind the family race van carrying the young engineer on his final journey to Arbroath.
Andy’s family have now spoken forthe first time of the reaction to their loss, and revealed that the generosity of mourners who packed his Arbroath funeral service has provided a four-figure boost towards emergency air cover on the Isle of Man through the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club.
Last year Andy’s talent carried him to victory in the Junior Manx Grand Prix over the island’s legendary 37-mile Mountain course, and his fatherMike said they were determineddonations would help contribute towards providing air ambulance cover in the future.
Andy’s 22-year-old partner, Billie, and their children, three-year-old Terri and two-year-old Braden, have also been helped by the generosity of mourners and comforted by floods of good wishes.
Mike said: “I knew there would be a lot of people and I was just trying to keep myself together as I drove him home, but it was overwhelming to see the amount of people all the way along the road people who were nothing to do with bikes but just wanted to come out to pay their respects.
“At the time I couldn’t really take in what was happening, but we wantpeople to know just how much weappreciate what they did,” said Mike and partner Shani Cargill.
Billie paid particular tribute to Andy’s employer, Halliburton, where he had worked since July 2012, and said the kindness of friends and strangerscontinued to be a comfort.
“There were so many messages, and although it was so difficult it is nice to have them, and one day the children will be able to look at everything and know how people felt about their dad.”