Ride4Brendan: A Night to Remember, A Cause That Continues

MJ’s Version of the story…

In May 2025, I received a random message from Bryan Cox, a complete stranger at the time, asking if I could do him a favour in helping organise something special. He was heading off on a pre-booked holiday and wondered if I could pull together a motorcycle escort for Brendan, his disabled son’s best mate, in giving him a grand entrance at his school prom.

Brendan is an extraordinary young man living with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and scoliosis, needing 24-hour care but despite the challenges, his energy, warmth and resilience are nothing short of inspiring.

From One Facebook Post to a Full-Scale Convoy

What began as a single social media post quickly snowballed. Thanks to the power of the biking community—and a fair bit of Facebook magic—riders from all over stepped forward to support Brendan’s big night.

By Friday 20th June, everything was in place. In all 47 bikes and trikes, two cars (a classic Mini and a sports car) and Brendan’s decorated minibus lined up for the short but unforgettable ride to the next village venue. Leading the escort was a true honour—and occasionally glancing back at my motorcycle mirrors and seeing Brendan’s convy following behind me was a moment I’ll never forget.

A Ride of My Own

Between Bryan’s first message and linking up with Brendan’s mum, Natalie, I had my own trip brewing—a long-planned ride to Ireland with three like minded female bikers, including our oldest rider who at the time was nearly 70. It was full of firsts: ferries, foreign roads, long distance miles… and sadly, a devastating crash when travelling back home on UK soil. Due to severe injuries our eldest rider was airlifted to hospital, and during her stay at the hospital her 88-year-old husband’s bike was then stolen from outside in the hospital car park as he visited his wife in the trauma ward on Father’s Day. A brutal reminder of life’s unpredictability—on and off the road.

A Tyre Crisis and Unexpected Generosity

Just before the Ireland trip, I discovered my tyres were borderline illegal and funds were tight so I threw out a cheeky Facebook post asking in case any local businesses I’ve previously supported over the years might have helped me out in returning a favour.

To my surprise, Bryan came forward again—this time offering to cover the cost. I was hesitant to accept, but his kindness and persistence won me over to only accepting a donation and not the full price with Tony at AG Autos in Rugeley also stepping in with a price match and free fitting. Thanks to them, I made the trip.

Feeling grateful & as it was approaching my 51st birthday I chose to launch a birthday fundraiser for Brendan’s prom, with donations going to Saxon Hill Academy, the special needs school where he attended. On top of that, local biking businesses chipped in with raffle prizes for an ‘on the night’ raffle draw.

The Big Night

Despite fears of wet weather, the UK delivered me a heatwave instead. Fortunately Brendan’s family had cold drinks and shade set up for the riders, and bikes were already arriving when I pulled up. The street quickly filled with motorcycles, engines and cheers. Brendan was beaming—chatting away in his element.

Leading the convoy of 47 motorcycles, two cars and Brendan’s minibus through the village was electric. Brendan’s home street was lined with onlookers, cheering or taking photos/videos and the energy at the venue was palpable.

Once Brendan had arrived at his school prom being cheered by family, friends and neighbours all us bikers continued with the ride out up to the local Bowling Green pub in Lichfield for a well earned cold drink and the raffle draw. In the raffle Brendans nan bagged a TMS mug and lanyard which was going to Brendan and she also won another prize which was donated by Stuart at The Kitchen Café at CMC Motorcycles Cannock. This here leads into another story which we will cover another time in the next article.

So, between the raffle and fundraiser a total of £263.42 was raised for the school. A modest amount—but a powerful show of what the community can do.

Visiting Saxon Hill

On 9th July, Brendan, Natalie, Bryan and I met at Saxon Hill Academy for a school tour. This was also the first time Bryan and I had actually met face-to-face. We met Brendan’s mates, staff, and even the school dog but the day also came with sobering news afterwards as we were about to leave as Natalie told us that Brendan’s application for two vital home chairs—one to help when showering and another to sit comfortably outside of his wheelchair had both been declined. Both these pieces of equipment are specialist items with a hefty cost for both being £8,000, which is completely unaffordable for the family.

It hit hard especially after the high of prom night, the news landed like a punch to the gut. Bryan and I didn’t even need to say it out loud, we were already starting to think the same thing: this isn’t over!

The Road Ahead: #Ride4Brendan

That day marked the start of a new mission #ride4brendan which isn’t just a one-off gesture anymore—it’s now a campaign to raise the funds for the equipment Brendan so urgently needs, Be sure to follow up with us in the next Rider magazine for our update of where this new campaign journey is taking us or, if you can’t wait till then, then follow this link to our gofundme page to find out as its happening and how you can all help support us too – I think we’re going to need it!-

This journey has brought strangers together, created lifelong connections, and shown just how powerful the biker community can be when it rallies behind someone.

Because support doesn’t stop after the ride, And compassion doesn’t switch off once the helmets come off.

Together, we ride. Together, we make a difference.

#ride4brendan

Brendan’s Mums side of the story…

I’m Natalie, mom to 2 wonderful boys, Brendan 19 & Bailey 15. Brendan has severe Cerebral Palsy, Scoliosis & learning difficulties, this year he left school.

With this year being Brendan’s last year at school, I knew prom was coming up and wanted to make it as special as I could. How though? As Brendan has to be transported in a wheelchair accessible vehicle our options to get him to prom in style were limited. So I asked my best friend, Tracy, if she would decorate her WAV and be Brendan’s driver. Lets just say she did not disappoint! The vehicle was decorated perfectly and Tracy had a proper chauffeur’s outfit on, so it was perfect. This wasn’t enough for my Brendan, I wanted it to be more memorable, so I reached out to my good friend Bryan and asked if he would ride his motorbike, with some mates, to escort Brendan to prom.

He said yes without a second thought. Everything was coming together until I got the prom date and unfortunately Bryan couldn’t make it! He asked around to others to see if anyone could help, that is when I had my first contact with MJ. I sent MJ a photo of Brendan and a short story and she set up and events page on Facebook ‘calling all bikers’ for help. Little did we know how much help we would be getting!

Prom day arrived and it was a lovely hot, sunny day. So we put up a gazebo on the drive got a table with cold water and drinks, flannels and a bowel of water for the bikers to cool down, everything was ready. From about 3:30pm family & friends started to arrive to come and see Brend and wave him off. So many family and friends turned up, it was brilliant.

Then the bikers started to arrive……one after another after another and so on! About 48 bikes turned up plus a classic mini & my niece in her sports car, all to escort my son to his prom….WOW!

The green outside our house was full, even lots of neighbours came out to see the bikes, wave Brendan off and show their support! It was then time to go to prom, Brendan was extremely nervous & anxious so found it very overwhelming. Once in the car though he said “I’m doing really good aren’t I mom” & “mom please can you thank all the bikers for me”. The journey & the whole event was incredible! As we approached the prom venue, all school staff were out and waiting, everyone was blown away and most had tears in their eyes! This was by far a prom that wont be forgotten & we can’t thank everyone enough for their kindness!

So, once Brendan had been dropped off at prom, some of the bikers then carried on to the Bowling Green Pub in Lichfield. So as a family we went along to say our thank you. MJ had sorted out a raffle to help raise funds for Brendan’s school, so the raffle took place at the pub, monies raised was around £263!!!

I arranged with MJ & Bryan to come to the school where we can met with Brendan and the head teacher to hand over the money and get some photos.

As the 3 of us was waiting outside the school for Brend & the head teacher we was all having a good chat about different things. I was telling them how i’d just got the devasting news that Brendan had been denied a new comfy chair for home use and a shower chair! This was such a blow! The panel expected Brendan to sit in his wheelchair all day every day, yet he needs a comfy chair with a tray for different positioning, Who wants to sit in the same chair all day everyday???

Anyway, the money was handed over and photos were taken. Not long after MJ posted the pics on Facebook along with the news of Brendan’s chair and needing to raise the money. That is when Bryan & MJ decided they wanted to do a challenge…The challenge is, they will ride on their motorbikes from John O’Groats to Lands End! WOW WOW WOW these amazing people, yet again, are helping my Brendan! A go fund me page has been set up and in less than 1 week it smashed the half way target!

This is where we are at now, waiting for the day of the challenge! Good luck to them both, we as a family can’t thank them enough! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has donated to the fund or even if they have just shared it on, it all means so much

#ride4brendan

Bryan’s version of the story…

My names Bryan Cox I’ve rode bikes for a number of years, currently hanger on for dear life to a 2012 Kawasaki z1000.

Let’s start at the beginning…. Through my son being born very premature and weighing only 1lb 12oz he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound, due to this he went to a special school in Stafford where he met his best and forever friend Brendan they got on so well, the school put my wife and Brendan’s mum (Natalie) in touch via phone numbers so they could help each other, That blossomed in to another unbreakable friendship.

Now let’s fast forward to 2024 Natalie asked me if I’d ride next to his vehicle in way of an escort for his prom in 2025, Obviously I said yes just let me know the dates asap, I quickly asked a few bikers if they would be up for tagging along and they said yes.

2025 came round quickly and I booked my summer holiday for June, roughly 6 weeks later I get the date of Brendan’s prom 20th June the week I’m away! I was gutted Natalie said don’t worry it’s a very early date for a prom there normally in July so don’t worry! I said I’d sort something (not sure if she was expecting me to or not)

Don the thinking cap….

Over the last 12 months or so I’ve joined a lot more bike related Facebook groups and in doing so I’ve seen a lot of posts but one name popped up more than others MJ Ladybiker…. I didn’t know MJ and I’d never spoke to her either so completely out the blue I sent her a message on fb asking if she could help me out she agreed and she quickly created an event post on fb so we could get the word out and gather some troops.

They came, oh did they… on the night of the prom I’m sat in Türkiye complaining about the heat when my phone goes crazy videos pictures, texts, everyone sending me Brendan’s prom footage! 46 bikers join MJ in the hottest Friday in a very long time I sat drinking my beer with a lump in my throat I’m not sure if it was the fact I wasn’t there in person or the support we got for Brendan or the gratitude I had for what had been done or a combination of both.

2 complete strangers come together from a mutual love of bikes and this had been achieved simply incredible!! And I can’t thank MJ enough.

#ride4brendan

What is #Ride4Brendan?

#Ride4Brendan is more than just a hashtag—it’s a community-driven campaign born from an incredible act of kindness. What started as a motorcycle escort to give Brendan—a young man with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and scoliosis—a memorable prom experience, has now evolved into an ongoing movement to support Brendan’s quality of life.

It’s a symbol of how the biking community, local businesses, and everyday people can come together to make a lasting difference.

🌟 The Mission

To raise awareness and funds for Brendan’s essential needs—starting with the £8,000 required for two specialised home chairs that will improve his daily comfort, care, and dignity. These chairs are crucial for safe showering and providing relief from sitting in his standard wheelchair all day.

🏍️ How It Started

May 2025: Bryan Cox asked MJ (you) to help organise a motorcycle prom escort for Brendan.
June 20th: 47 bikers, cars, and Brendan’s decorated minibus created an unforgettable prom entrance.
July 9th: Brendan’s school visit revealed a heartbreaking need—his application for vital equipment had been declined.