DOZENS of bikers gathered for the funeral of driving instructor Chris Barnett yesterday, Wednesday, May 11.

Chris Barnett, 65, of Nayling Road, Braintree, died holding his daughter, Nikki Barnett's, hand last month, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. 

Miss Barnett described the send off as "fantastic".

She said: "The bikers were incredible and kept the mile long procession going, stopping traffic, escorting dad all the way.

"A long trail of friends, family, bikers and driving instructors followed us and made the day extra special.

"We had Beatles music and celebrated his life in style. A special thanks to Chris Baker and his Brave, Bikers Respect All Veterans Equally, bikers as well as the Chelmsford Co-op funeral service and The Swan in Rayne who all helped make dads big day run so smoothly."


Mr Barnett was born in Colchester but grew up in care homes in the Isle of Wight and Clacton and had nine brothers and sisters, nine grandchildren and three daughters; Toni Hewitt, Sherri Prynne and Nikki Barnett. 


He worked as a driving instructor for over 35 years and was chairman of the Colchester and District Driving Instructors Association up until his retirement last year.

Chris Baker from BRAVE arranged to take Mr Barnett out for a ride on his Harley Davidson V-Rod trike as part of his bucket list, which Mr Barnett put together after he was diagnosed with cancer.

After Mr Barnett died, the bikers grouped together to lead a procession at his funeral.