Son's 11,800 mile ride to lay mother's ashes in County Durham

A man is travelling thousands of miles by motorbike from Australia to County Durham to lay his mother's ashes where she was born.

Paul Brown's mother Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004 and died in May.

She was born in Bishop Auckland in 1933 then moved to New Zealand in 1961 before moving to live with her son in Australia after she was diagnosed.He now plans to travel 11,800 miles (19,000km) from his home on Australia's Sunshine Coast to Bishop Auckland on his motorbike. The 51-year-old will carry her ashes across Australia, Russia and Europe before ending his journey near to Westerton in Bishop Auckland.

'Feeling of relief'

He said: "This is something I have to do, not only for my mum and her family but for all suffers of Alzheimer's and dementia.

"The sad part is from that point on you watch helplessly as this person you know as your mother slowly become a shell with no memory or recollection of anything.

Patricia Brown was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004

"She started in a low care ward before moving to high care once she lost the ability to walk. "For the last few years she just lay there. "I suppose the one saving grace is that when they finally pass away it hasn't come as a shock unlike if they are killed in a car crash. "It is sad that you kind of feel relieved for them because, when the dementia is in its advanced state, it is no way to live and you just hope they have gone to a far better place."

Mr Brown sold his car to help fund the trek and completed the first section of the journey during April - a 4,600 mile (7,500km) ride around eastern Australia.

Once his bike has been shipped to Korea, he will fly there, collect it and is expecting to begin the major leg of the journey in June.

He hopes to reach the north-east of England in September when he plans to lay his mother's ashes next to his grandmother's ashes in St James' Church in Coundon.

'Soul-destroying disease'

Armed with a sleeping bag, tent, food and drink, he said one of the biggest tests has been administration.

"The biggest challenge so far was finding out just how to go about getting bikes into Russia, all the paperwork I might need such as passports, visas and insurance," he said.

"Also travelling alone in a place like Russia brings its own worries, not only for me but my family back in Australia." Mr Brown is raising money and awareness for Neuroscience Research Australia and The Alzheimer's Society. "It's not so much the money, it's more making people aware of this soul-destroying disease and if we don't do something shortly our health system is going to struggle."

London's Salon Privé - lovely bikes and lobster luncheon

Approaching its eighth year in 2013, Salon Privé takes place from the 4th to 6th of September at West London’s Syon Park and is firmly established as the UK’s most prestigious Luxury Super Car Show & Concours d’Elégance.  Several new product debuts, as well as the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance, the Art and Memorabilia Fayre, and a host of exclusive luxury goods exhibits place Salon Privé among the leading automotive shows of the world, alongside the U.S.’s Pebble Beach and Italy’s Villa d’Este.  www.salonprivelondon.com

Following last year’s outstanding success of the motorcycle classes at Salon Privé, the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance is delighted to welcome back the two-wheel category in 2013.  A broad category of ‘Sporting Motorcycles’ together with ‘Oddballs and One-Offs’ will make up this year’s two motorcycle classes.

Yves Campion’s 1932 Moto Gillet

Among the highlight entrants already signed up for the ‘Sporting’ class is 1960s racer, Reg Everett, who achieved many successes on Greeves and Yamaha bikes, notching up 25 wins out of fifty rostrum places.  Reg is entering an extremely rare 1964 250cc Yamaha TD1A racer – the first racing Yamaha in the country, and one that gave him a famous victory over Brands Hatch champion, Derek Minter, on his home turf. 

Reg Everett’s 1964 Yamaha TD1A 250cc

Among the Oddball class early entries is a unique 1953 Norton Tom Tom, entered by renowned Norton single-cylinder specialist and author of ‘Flat Tank Norton’, Dr George Cohen.  In addition, Belgian motorcycle author Yves Campion has entered a seldom seen 1932 Moto Gillet, presented in a condition that has to be seen to be believed.

Dr George Cohen’s 1953 Norton Tom Tom

Custom motorbike builder Allen Millyard is entering the ‘Flying Millyard’ 5-litre Vee-Twin Engine, following his success with a class-winning 100cc Honda in 2012.  The cylinders for this year’s creation are from a 1930s Pratt and Whitney radial aircraft engine, with everything else hand made. Allen is currently building a 1930s style board racer around the engine.

The ‘Flying Millyard’ 5-litre Vee-Twin engine under construction in Allen Millyard’s workshop

With the above and many more continuing to be entered to the ever-growing Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance motorcycle classes at Salon Privé, 2013 is already shaping up to be another exceptional year for both bikes and cars on the lawns of Syon Park in September.  

Entries may still be accepted for the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance, for more information on entering a car or motorbike please visit http://www.salonprivelondon.com/concours/register.asp 

Tickets for Salon Privé can be purchased at www.salonprivelondon.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0808 100 2205.  Entry is fully inclusive of Pommery champagne, lobster luncheon, English afternoon tea and full access to all areas. 

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