by Jenni Horn

Bikers will join a funeral procession for motorcyclist Colin Morrish, who was killed in Italy last month.

The 62-year-old father and grandfather from Rochester died in an horrific accident which also took the lives of his partner Wendy Pointer, from Rochester, and friend Michael Vercoe, from West Kingsdown.

Michael’s wife Fay also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Colin’s funeral will take place tomorrow (Tuesday).

The funeral cortege will leave Colin’s shop, C.M. Motorcycles, in Rochester High Street, at 12.15pm and will make its way to St Augustine’s Church, Rock Avenue, Gillingham, for a service at 1pm. This will be followed by a service at Chatham Cemetery at 2.30pm.

Colin’s family and friends will be celebrating his life at the St George’s Hotel, New Road, Chatham, from 3pm to 7pm.

His family have asked for flowers or donations to Colin’s favourite charity, the Kent Air Ambulance, to be given to A.H. Apps Funeral Directors, Luton Road, Chatham. Flowers can also be delivered to Colin’s shop on Tuesday.

His son John, 34, said: “The Kent Air Ambulance is a charity which dad always supported.

“He was a pilot himself, he had a private pilot’s licence, and thought it was a very worthwhile charity. He did lots of sponsored events to raise money for them.”

Colin’s shop has been covered in flowers since his death, and John, along with his sister Victoria, 31, have been inundated with cards and letters of sympathy.

John said: “I think my dad would be overwhelmed by it all. Everyone has been really kind and it has really helped Victoria and I to know dad was so well-loved.”

In a fitting send off, John said Colin’s friends will be following his coffin to the church on their motorbikes.

He added: “Dad had been into bikes since he was a child. He had run the shop in Rochester for 15 years and been all over the world on touring holidays.”