Bikers remember helmet campaigner

Fred Hill Run

Eddie Johnson and the Motorcycle Action Group celebrate Fred Hill Day at the Redbeck Cafe in Crofton

Droves of bikers took to the streets on sunday to commemorate the life of an anti-helmet law campaigner who died in prison.

The Wakefield branch of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) organised a bike ride to Whitby on Sunday to coincide with the release of 31 black balloons in London.

The balloons represented the total number of times Fred Hill, who died in 1984, was sent to prison.

Eddie Johnson organised the Wakefield ride. He said: "It was nice to do something to think of Fred and what he did."

Mr Hill, who had strong Wakefield connections, was fined on many occasions throughout his life for not wearing a helmet, preferring to wear his trademark beret instead.

He died in Pentonville Prison halfway through a sentence for not paying his fines.

Hundreds of events were organised by MAG members across the country on sunday and the Wakefield members met at the Redbeck Cafe in Crofton.

Source: Wakefield Express, Friday 20th February 2004. Reproduced with the kind permission of the Wakefield Express (Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group)

Read the Wakefield MAG Fred Hill Run Event Report