A cavalcade of bikers escorted a carer on her final journey after she raised thousands of pounds to help other terminally ill patients complete their bucket lists.
Big-hearted Kathleen Anne Madeley – known as Kate – died at her home surrounded by her family on January 15, after fighting a long illness.
The 46-year-old, from Blurton, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2013 – after first being affected in 2008 – and, at the time, was given just two years to live.
But she was determined to pack as much into her life as possible and began ticking off items on her bucket list, which included swimming with dolphins and riding on the back of a Harley Davidson.
With the support of bikers from the motorcycle club, The Outlaws – who helped her achieve her dreams – and her family, care worker Kate also set up her own charity, Kate’s Dream Riders, to help other terminally ill patients.
After Kate’s own struggle with illness finally came to an end, dozens of bikers escorted her coffin – carried in a motorcycle side car – to a packed Carmountside Crematorium for her funeral on Wednesday.
Reverend Prebendary Cathy Case told the service: “The number of you here speaks volumes. Clearly, Kate has touched your lives and your hearts in some way, so it was important to be here today.”
The service heard that Kate grew up in Blurton and went to Newstead Primary School and then Blurton High School.
She trained as a hairdresser, but then worked in a variety of jobs, including in the pottery industry at Beswicks and Portmeirion, before becoming a hospital care worker.
“She found her niche, what she was good at,” said Rev Preb Case.
The service heard how Kate had fought bravely against cancer, from when she was first diagnosed and even after she was told her condition was terminal.
Rev Preb Case said: “She continued to live her life to the fullest she could.
“She wrote a bucket list that resulted in her brother John getting a passport and he and Kate flew to Portugal to swim with dolphins.
“She told her friend Lorraine that she would love a ride on a motorbike. Lorraine had a friend called Kevin who had a Harley Davidson and, one Sunday, he took her on a motorbike ride. He then took her to the Freebird bike club, in Newcastle, and a whole new life and interest was born.
“A lot of bikers raise money for charity and Kate’s Dream Bikes was launched to raise money for children and adults who were terminally ill.
“Other bikers became good friends, too many to mention, but you know who you are and how much pleasure you gave to Kate. Kate was very proud to be part of such an amazing group of guys and girls.”
The funeral service began with the song These Are The Days Of Our Lives, by Queen.
Mourners heard a heartfelt and moving poem written and read out by Kate’s younger brother John, which concluded with the words:”Remembering her is easy, I do it every day. But there’s an ache in my heart that will never go away.”
Towards the end of the service, a representative of The Outlaws led the congregation in a round of applause, in tribute to Kate, who had another brother, Ray, and her fund-raising efforts for her charity.
The song Calling All Angels, by Jane Siberry and KD Lang was played and finally, as mourners began to file out, Run, by Snow Patrol.
Donations were also collected for her charity.
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Source: Stoke-on-Trent Live