Inverness Bikers Rally to Give Beloved Care Home Resident the Ultimate Rock 'n' Roll Send-Off

The 77-year-old passed away earlier this month with no living relatives but her “family” at Kingsmills were in no doubt about the send-off she deserves and kicked into gear with the funeral arrangements.
 
“Cheryl was a larger-than-life personality and a much-loved resident,” said Kirsten Simpson, team lead manager at Kingsmills.
 
“She absolutely loved rock music and motorbikes and considered herself to be an experienced biker. One of her treasured possessions was an old photo of Cheryl with her Kawasaki motorcycle that she took to Thunder in the Glens. She was a true punky, heavy metal soul. So, we posted a message on Facebook, looking for anyone with a motorbike who would be willing to help us honour a final ride for Cheryl.”
 
Within hours, members of several local motorcycle clubs including the Highland Bikers and Born To Lose answered the call and on Tuesday, bikers will follow Cheryl’s funeral procession from Grantown on Spey to Inverness Crematorium.
 
“We’re blown away by the response, and it just shows what a great local community we have. It means so much to the staff, it’s exactly what Cheryl would have wanted,” added Kirsten.
 
Cheryl was born in Dartford, Kent and had a daughter, Claire, who passed away.
 
She later moved to Aviemore after years attending Thunder in the Glens and worked in a variety of admin roles and as a hotel receptionist.
 
Cheryl was an animal-lover and took in several rescue dogs during her life. According to staff, Cheryl spoke most fondly of Patsy, a black and white papillon. She also volunteered for the charity Paws Against Stress, a therapeutic pet-interaction program based in Aviemore.
 
Cheryl moved to Kingsmills in 2022 where she received care and support for dementia and impaired mobility due to a previous stroke.
 
But she never lost her love of rock.
 
Staff at Kingsmills bought Cheryl a jukebox-style CD and Bluetooth speaker so the ageing rocker could play her favourite tunes by bands such as AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Guns N’Roses.
 
“Cheryl was always playing rock and metal in her room,” said Kirsten. “AC/DC’s Highway To Hell was a regular tune. We’re really going to miss Cheryl and her music.”
 
Staff had a flag designed that featured CD covers of Cheryl’s favourite bands, which was pinned to the ceiling above Cheryl’s bed.
 
After her death, they found a Word document on Cheryl’s computer with lyrics from Annie Lennox’s Love Song for a Vampire and AC/DC’s Highway to Hell.
 
The songs will be played at her funeral service and staff at Kingsmills have asked people to wear pink or leather.
 
“Pink was Cheryl’s favourite colour, she even dyed her hair pink,” explains Kirsten.
 
Staff have also recorded audio clips of a poem penned by Kirsten in tribute to Cheryl which will be played at the service.
 
“You can’t help but become attached to the residents in your care,” said Kirsten, “and Cheryl was no different. The staff here feel privileged to have known her and to have been her family for the last years of her life. It’s been an honour to arrange a fitting send-off for Cheryl that we’re sure she would approve of.”
 
Yvonne Richardson, Operations Director at Renaissance Care, added: “Cheryl became like family to many of the team at Kingsmills. In care, it’s natural for strong and meaningful relationships to grow, and in the absence of family members, the team often step in to provide that love, comfort and support.
 
“Creating something special for Cheryl’s send-off is their way of honouring her life, celebrating the person she was, and recognising the impact she had on the home and everyone within it.”