Do you want to hear a nice story? Well how about this.

A couple of months after DJ’s accident, John Barton, the rider who now lives in the Isle of Man sent me a drawing that had been left with the flowers, model trucks, pork pies etc which were placed at the wall at Crosby. The place was being cleared up and John thought we may like the drawing, so sent it to us. When it arrived Pauline and I liked it so much we decided to have it framed to be hung in the gallery we are building for Dave.

About a month later we had a lovely card and letter from a girl called Clare Harding, who told us that she had drawn a picture of Dave and had 250 prints made which she was selling in the Isle of Man. As soon as she heard Dave had died, she withdrew the prints as she couldn’t bear to sell them. She was a true DJ fan and was obviously very upset about his accident. She asked if we would like to have the prints as she thought it would be better for the family to do what ever they wished with them.

Something clicked along the way and I asked Pauline if we had got the drawing back from the picture framing people as I was sure the drawing was signed and thought the name to be a Clare somebody? The picture was still at the frame people but they confirmed the signature was Clare Harding. We were so pleased it was her and got back in touch with Clare to invite them over to see us.

When Clare eventually came over with her boyfriend Mark, they brought the prints along with the original and insisted we had them. They would not take a penny for them. They were really thrilled to see all of DJ’s memorabilia and of course the framed drawing in the gallery.

They really are a lovely couple, who were so polite, generous and truly pleased to be welcomed to our house and be involved with the family. We have agreed that we will sell the remaining prints and put all the money to the DJ Memorial Fund, the proceeds of which will be entirely given to charity.

But the story does not quite finish there. Before they left our house they gave us a package which they asked we open after they had gone. When we opened the package Clare had made another drawing in pencil which is about 36 inches by 24 inches, framed showing a beautiful head and shoulders portrait of Dave. It was absolutely wonderful and both Pauline and I just broke down in tears. We could not wait for Clare to get back home to Bolton so we could call her and thank her for such a wonderful present. It now hangs in our bedroom with a picture light above so we can say good night to Dave every time we go to bed.

It was a wonderful gesture and so much appreciated. Louise came to see it next day and thought just the same. How kind can people be. It just never ceases to amaze me but what is more important, just how much did they think of Dave.

Thank you Clare. You are a truly talented artist and it has been a pleasure to meet you and now have you as a friend.