Widow of PC Andrew Harper joins 5,000 motorcyclists in memorial ride

Lissie Harper rode on the back of her late husband's motorbike on the journey from RAF Benson to Abingdon Airfield in Oxfordshire.

Lucia Binding

News reporter @luciabinding

Monday 28 October 2019 04:17, UK

The charity ride raised about £16,000
Image: The charity ride raised about £16,000
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PC Andrew Harper's widow led thousands of motorcyclists in a charity ride which raised more than £16,000 in memory of the killed police officer.

Lissie Harper rode on the back of her late husband's motorcycle, which was ridden by her brother Jake Beckett on the 15-mile journey from RAF Benson to Abingdon Airfield in Oxfordshire on Sunday.

PC Harper and his wife Lissie had been married for just four weeks
Image: PC Harper and his wife Lissie had been married for just four weeks

The 28-year-old Thames Valley officer was killed on 15 August while responding to reports of a burglary near a village in Berkshire.

The newlywed died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a van, four weeks after his wedding.

Mrs Harper was followed by the couple's immediate family at the procession as around 5,000 motorcyclists put on their full leathers for the ride.

People lined the route in support and organisers said more than £16,000 had been raised for PC Harper's family and designated charities.

An RAF Benson spokesman said: "There were more than 4,000 people here, there were motorcycles as far as the eye can see.

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"It might be closer to 5,000 people, actually.

"They started leaving in groups of about 500 from midday, and by 2pm they were probably only halfway through.

"The family were overwhelmed with the support when they arrived, and a lot of money has been raised.

"People just wanted to show their respects."

Thousands of motorcyclists took part in a 'ride of respect' in memory of PC Andrew Harper
Image: Thousands of motorcyclists took part in a 'ride of respect' in memory of PC Andrew Harper
Thousands of motorcyclists took part in the ride in Oxfordshire
Image: Thousands of motorcyclists took part in the ride in Oxfordshire

Hundreds of people came to watch the officer's coffin arriving at Christ Church cathedral in Oxford on 14 October.

Uniformed officers lined the streets of the city along the route of the procession, which was led by mounted officers from Thames Valley Police.

A bike with a police Union Flag taking part in the charity ride
Image: A bike with a police Union Flag taking part in the charity ride
Lissie Harper left a symbol of her husband's life next to his picture in the cathedral
Image: Lissie Harper left a symbol of her husband's life next to his picture in the cathedral

Mrs Harper gave a moving tribute in the cathedral, in which she described his love of the outdoors, movies and beaches, and called him her "hero".

She said her husband was a "gentle giant with a heart of gold" and wore his police uniform with pride.

Andrew and his wife with his sister and father (left), and stepmum and brother (right)
Image: Andrew and his wife with his sister and father (left), and stepmum and brother (right)

Suspects Henry Long, 18, from Mortimer in Reading, and two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their age, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

Thomas King, 21, from Basingstoke, is also accused of conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

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