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Family launch fundraiser to give Inverness motorbike fan and disability champion a final ‘ride out in style’

Inverness fundraiser
A GoFundMe page has been set up in tribute to motorcycle enthusiast David Sansum. Image: GoFundMe.

The family of an Inverness motorcycle fan has launched a fundraiser to give him the “send off he would have loved to have seen”.

David Sansum died last month after a lifetime of health problems.

The 44-year-old, who used a wheelchair, never let his disabilities stop him and he championed the rights of disabled people – becoming a recognisable figure in Inverness.

He even ran for council to make a difference in the lives of disabled people and although he did not win, he found other ways to help, including charity work.

Now his brother Stephen Sansum has set up a GoFundMe page to help towards the funeral costs. They family is trying is raise £3,000.

And in a nod to David’s love of motorbikes, a procession of bikers will lead the way to the funeral in Inverness on Monday.

David was a particular fan of Harley Davidsons and never missed a chance to attend Thunder in the Glens.

Thunder in the Glens is an annual Harley Davidson rally that takes place in Aviemore and has been ongoing since 1999.

Thunder in the Glens return with a mass ride-out of 3,000 bikers from Aviemore to Grantown on Spey. Picture by Paul Campbell.

‘Always had a smile’

Writing on his GoFundMe page, Stephen said: “David was a well-known character, always had a smile and always plenty time for a blether.

“(He was) a member of several groups, and had a passion for motorbikes especially Harley Davidsons, never once missing Thunder in the Glens every year it was on.

“(He) got himself involved in disability rights and access, and not to forget his stint running for council in order to make things better.

“David suffered many things in his life, fought many health battles, sepsis three times, and he still always had a smile despite it.

“His lifelong disabilities never once held him back, if he wanted to do it, he would.
David was never wealthy, he got by, and did the best he could, and very rarely complained.

“His needs always had to come first before any chance of been able to save for anything, and why today I am putting this up.”

Thunder in the Glens attracts thousands of biker fans every year – and David Sansum never missed it. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

‘A send off he would have loved to have seen’

Stephen said the family have been touched by the number of people who had reached out, and that they hope the funeral is “packed out”.

They have been in touch with some of the biker groups David was part of to get him the “send off he would have loved to have seen for someone else”.

His brother wrote: “David was never one for attention, but I know he will love the fact he will be escorted by bikers – and enough that it will stop traffic.

“If he is looking down I can just hear him saying look at that I stopped the traffic again.

“The last thing I can do for my brother David is he make his last ride out in style, and one that won’t be forgotten.”

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