ABOUT 100 bikers rode through Suffolk to celebrate the life of a much-loved man who died from a rare form of cancer.A more appropriate memorial could hardly be found for Philip Squirrell, a huge motorcycling enthusiast, affectionately known by his friends as Squidge.

By Georgina James

ABOUT 100 bikers rode through Suffolk to celebrate the life of a much-loved man who died from a rare form of cancer.

A more appropriate memorial could hardly be found for Philip Squirrell, a huge motorcycling enthusiast, affectionately known by his friends as Squidge.

The 35-year-old from Creeting St Mary, died aged 35 in 2000 of non Hodgkins T cell lymphoma.

Riders from far and wide met at the Pickerel pub in Stowmarket for the charity memorial run yesterday which was raising money for Somersham Ward at Ipswich Hospital, where Squidge received treatment.

The cavalcade of motorcycles passed through his home village of Creeting St Mary, where his parents Jean and Paul still live, past the church where Squidge is buried, and then the procession headed along the A1120, ending up at The Butley Oyster.

Neil Boast, Philip's brother-in-law, and organiser of the event said: "It has been a fantastic turnout, the best we had so far. I think the weather has helped.

"The event is a chance for all of Squidges friends to meet up and have a good chin wag and remember our friend.

"We decided on his funeral day three years ago that we would do something each year on the anniversary of his death to commemorate his life while at the same time raise money for charity.

"Had he survived, his wish was to give something back to the people who helped him and for the treatment he received. This is our way of carrying on his wishes.

"Everybody knows somebody whose life has been touched by cancer. It's not all bad - good can come out of it and by raising money we are doing our bit."

Mr Boast said that the bike run would continue to be held annually for as long as Squidges family's wanted, and while his friends continued to support it.

Last year more than £1,000 was raised for charity.