A MOTORCYCLE club with links to upholding the law has donated £400 to a hospice charity in memory of a member of the group who used its service.

Herriot Hospice Homecare, which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses in their own homes, received the cheque on Saturday, May 10, from members of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club who rode into Northallerton.

The club is divided into chapters across the globe and the riders were from England III, one of the founding chapters in the UK and based in the North East.

Chapter secretary Dave Young said: “Our membership consists of serving and retired officers who hold or have held a statutory power of arrest, including police, prisons officers, customs officers and other law enforcement organisations.

“We are presenting the cheque in memory of one of our departed members Beverley Leale, who was cared for by the Herriot Hospice.”

The club, which has 20,000 members worldwide, raised the money at its annual poker run.

Chapter president Stuart McCarthy said: “Beverley died from cancer on September 30, 2005, at her home in Tunstall, North Yorkshire.

“She had been in hospital for a number of weeks but went home to spend her remaining time in the comfort of her own home, being cared for by her family and closest friends.

“Without support from Herriot Hospice her wish to spend her last days at home would not have been possible.”

Christine Robinson, from Herriot Hospice Homecare, said “It was great to meet the Blue Knights and to receive the donation. We depend on acts like this and fundraising activity to continue to provide our services to those in need.”