Bury St Edmunds care home resident’s motorbike wish is a triumph

A Bury St Edmunds care home organised a hair-raising surprise for a resident wanting to relive his youth. 

When the team at Care UK’s Davers Court, on Shakers Lane, discovered that 94-year-old resident Eric Cockerton was an avid motorcyclist in his youth, they were determined to make his wish to relive his biker days come true. 

Eric has always had a passion for bikes, looking up to British Motorcycling Grand Prix Road Racer World Champion, Geoff Duke, as one of his childhood heroes. 

In his younger days, Eric was a member of the Bury St Edmunds & District Motorcycle Club, and owned many bikes, including a Honda Z70, Honda 500, and his ultimate dream bike – a Norton Commando. 

Spending many weekends on the dirt tracks at local scrambler bike races, Eric would also take along his daughter, Cheryl, to watch. Eric’s racing days sadly came to an end in 1979 following an unfortunate accident, but his love of bikes remains to this day.

Eager to help Eric reminisce about his fond memories of repairing, reconditioning and riding motorcycles, the team arranged for Eric and his daughter to visit a local charity, Wish List Bikers, which help provide motorbike experiences to adults and children with mental or physical disabilities.

Commenting on Eric’s day, his daughter Cheryl said: “Dad very much enjoyed his day and was smiling the whole time!”

The visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Sophie Evans, Home Manager at Davers Court, added: “We had a wonderful afternoon sharing Eric’s passion and learning more about his love of motorbikes. 

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their ambitions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Eric has always loved chatting to residents and team members about the trips he used to go on riding his motorbike, so it was an incredibly special moment to see his face light up when he saw the bikes. 

“He’s had a smile on his face ever since, and so have we. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Wish List Bikers for helping to make Eric’s day!”

Davers Court is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable the residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.