In Memorium of Lachlan MacKintosh who passed to the Grand Lodge above – 21st of February 2017
I just want to let you know how much you are all in my thoughts as you prep and set up for the Bike Show this weekend.
Lachlan and I were so looking forward to it and, as you are already aware, he was once again going to proudly exhibit one of his motorbikes at The Widows Sons Scotland stand – only this time of course, it was going to be his mighty BMW Adventure for a change, instead of his highly polished Harley Davidson Road King which he felt extremely honoured to display over the past two years.
We shall always appreciate the warm welcome you gave, the way you included us and the fact that we were able to help promote The Widows Sons Scotland and their inspiring brotherhood.
Lachlan will be with you in spirit and my beloved husband’s memory will live on, through all of you, forever…..
❤️ Morag Mackintosh
In Memorium of Stevie Collins (Past President WSS) who passed to the Grand Lodge above – 30 December 2014
Courtesy of STV Edinburgh
By Laura Piper on Friday 9 January 2015
Bikers’ guard of honour for cancer victim Steven Collins
A fleet of Harley Davidson bikers have gathered to pay tribute to the “kind-hearted” Santa Ride founder who devoted his life to helping others.
Described as a “jolly and gentle soul” by his fellow bikers, Edinburgh father-of-two Steven Collins lost his battle with cancer on December 30, 2014.
In a moving ceremony held at the city’s Warriston Crematorium on Thursday, close to 100 bikers escorted the funeral procession and formed a leather-clad guard of honour to say goodbye to the friend they described as “a brother who always put everyone else first”.
In a service that included the rock ballad He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother and a resounding ‘Harley roar’ of engines that set off nearby car alarms, Steven’s generous spirit was honoured by those who said they were privileged to have known him.
via STV
As founder of Edinburgh’s Santa Ride – an annual motorbike run where bikers deliver presents and Christmas cheer to the elderly and to children at the Edinburgh Sick Kids hospital – ‘Stevie’ was a popular figure in the city.
“He would never see anybody stuck,” said his wife, Carol Collins.
“He always helped people out and never had a bad word to say about anybody. He was so well known and so well liked. We’re just so heartbroken that he’s gone.”
As former president and co-founder of The Widows Sons Scotland, Steven’s charity work extended to anyone who was in need of help.
The 52-year-old plumber and heating engineer helped to organise vital blood runs for local hospitals as well as events to raise funds for charities such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society and shoebox for soldiers appeals.
via STV
“Steven will be a huge, huge loss because he was the driving force behind so many things,” said Carol.
“People are going to really miss him.”
Steven’s passion for motorbikes drew him into Scotland’s Harley Davidson social scene – a group historically known for their charity work.
“Steven loved his bikes, he was always a biker even before I knew him, ” said Carol.
“We were always busy. We had a very full life. He’s just going to be such a huge huge loss to me and my boys.”
Steven passed away at his home shortly before New Year, after an eight-month battle against cancer, leaving behind Carol, his two much-loved sons Sean and Gordon, grandson Aaron and sister Jackie.
via STV
“It was very difficult for him because Steven genuinely thought he would live forever,” said Carol.
“But he never complained, even when he was in pain, and right up to the end he never gave up.
“He was fighting for his life right up to the end, he loved his life and he didn’t want to go. Steven just fought and fought because he wanted to live.”
In keeping with the generosity towards others he had shown throughout his life, Steven requested that donations at the service be on behalf of St. Columba’s Hospice where he had spent some time.
Steven’s fellow bikers have also announced their commitment to keep his and their group’s dedicated ethos of service before self going strong – especially through the annual Santa Ride.
As friend and biker Steve Ritchie said: “It won’t be the same next year without him, but we’ll keep doing it.”
Stevie Collins Santa Run 2014