Hundreds of Harley motorbikes roar into Northampton for yearly fundraising event

The 13th April Fools Harley Run, in memory of former mayor Terry Wire, saw a procession of the vintage bikes roar from Sixfields Stadium car park to Abington Street in Saturday, taking in Gold Street and Mercers Row on its way into town.

Once in town riders held a collection for Cynthia Spencer Hospice on Kettering Road.

A barbecue and raffle held later in the evening helped to swell the day’s fundraising total to just over £2,500.

Councillor Wire’s wife Fran, who now organises the event alongside Stenson Street based Harley and Buell specialists Northants V-Twin, said it was a successful day.

She said: “It was fantastic, lots of people were standing at the top of All Saints and by Gold Street to see us come past.

“I hope Terry was looking down on us.”

Former firefighter Terry Wire first began organising the April Fools Harley Davidson Run in 2003, and raised almost £30,000 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice through the event over the next decade.

He died in 2014, spending his final days at the hospice he had raised so much money for.

Wife Fran, who lived with Terry in Duston, extended her thanks to Northampton Town Football Club, Northampton Borough Council and the county council for allowing the yearly parade to continue.