Engines roared outside St. Josephs' General Hospital as leather-clad motorcyclists fulfilled the final wish of a Comox Valley woman.
Heather Brown, also known as Great Granny Good Time, is a founding supporter of the Cumberland Motorcycle Roundup — an annual event supporting Tour de Rock's campaign to raise money for cancer research and programs for children with cancer.
Brown, who is in her mid-60s, is now at St. Joseph's suffering from cancer. According to fellow Cumberland Motorcycle Roundup supporter Randy Loader, her final wish was to hear the rev of motorcycle engines.
"She asked me if I could get some people together to 'rev it up,' " Loader said Thursday as about 30 bikers waited on Rodello Street next to St. Joseph's. "That's her wish because she's been with the roundup for so long, she's used to the noise."
Bikers then revved their engines for a few moments as they looked up and waved at a hospital window, before they slowly peeled off down the road.
Loader hadn't spoken to Brown as of Monday because he wanted to give her time alone with her family. But he speaks to her husband Dave Brown every day, and he said Heather heard her final wish.
"She had a ball," said Loader. "He (Dave) says, 'She just started crying. She said that was the best thing ever.'
"I'm glad I could do it for her."
Loader added Heather is a fellow rider to many bikers in the Valley, and he's thankful to all the bikers who turned up to show support.
The fifth annual Cumberland Motorcycle Roundup is set for mid-August and features a Show and Shine, freestyle stunts, a tattoo contest, live entertainment and a poker run, among other things. For more information about the roundup, visit www.cumberlandmotorcycleroundup.com.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com