Tributes

Sandy Philp - History

Sandy Philp will always be remembered as the reason the Turkey Run became about.

Sandy Philp and his wife Nellie supported Harley for Helicopters from the second annual Blades of Thunder run right up until he passed away due to Asbestosis.

Sandy himself had been the victim of a terrible accident on his bike and had to be rushed to hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, this apparently helped to save his life. Sandy was a larrikin and always the practical Joker; he could never sit still and would always be one of the first tom help out on fund raising events.

He rode an immaculate Softail Custom that he added some great personal touches to. Sandy made his last ride to Sussex Inlet and just to show how tough this bugger was he had Nellie follow him in their transit van and he had to have oxygen every so often to make the trip. I can personally say their was not a person on that ride who didn’t marvel at the tough never say die attitude of Sandy to make that ride. This ride was Sandy’s last and it was only fitting that his beloved bike was the winner of the Best Custom bike, an award that was welcomed by all. The last time we saw our mate was in hospital where he fare welled us off on our Blades of Thunder Run of NSW. We did this knowing that we most likely would not see him again. The phone call came at about 9.30pm in the night to inform us that our mate had passed. Amongst tears, hugs and very heavy hearts the birth of the Wild Turkey Run was born, a fitting tribute to a top bloke.

As Sandy used to say “ A clean bike is a happy bike”. Rest in peace and don’t stop riding.

Keg Thomson - History

Keg was one of the first blokes to get on board with the idea of a charity ride around NSW to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. He along with Donna Norris managed to gathered massive amount of prizes for our raffles, and I have to say that if it wasn’t for Keg doing his massive part we wouldn’t probably have the event that we do, nor the money raised.

Keg on his Trike cut a fantastic figure wheeling across NSW at warp speed trying to catch the likes of Waterman, Jennings and Pearson just to name a few. He has the honor of being the one of 2 trikes that has been members of the Harleys for Helicopters group, and I think it would be hard job to step into his shoes.

He was an honest, hard working, dedicated, member truly professional group of people that raises money for the WRHS, and he is sadly missed. We had the Sussex Inlet ride dedicated to Keg, and now that we no longer venture south, he is remembered on the Turkey Run as one of the founders of Harley For Helicopters.

He is gone, but never forgotten.

Barry Farrell - History

Barry had been involved with Harleys for Helicopters for only a brief moment in his life, but he certainly did assist the group in raising money for the WRHS. Along with a number of his mates and his family, Barry had been to Uralla for the Turkey Run and was sure to be a regular member of the group that travels up to the Tablelands of NSW until prematurely taken from his friends and family.

Barry was murdered doing what he felt was the right thing, being a good community person and looking after his family at the same time. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a devoted family man, a great father, a fast riding Harley owner that loved life to the full and a guy that contributed lots to those closest to him.

He is remembered along with Sandy Philp and Keg Thompson as great blokes to have around, and another reason why the Turkey Run is such a great run.

Ian Rawlings (15.7.1945 - 28.11.2008)

Ian Huggie Rawlings was best known as The National President of
The Ulysses Club. His passion for life as a whole was inspirational. He sadly lost his 4 year long battle with cancer in 2008, but never lost hope or his love and interest in people. He never stopped giving. He spoke to anybody and showed genuine interest in the individual.He loved his bike, but more importantly he enjoyed the friendship that the bike brought him.

His support of charity over the years was testimony to the sort of person he was. Ian attended some of the events held by Harleys for Helicopters and rode to support The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service on numerous occasions. He is fondly remembered and sadly missed by the biking community and his family and friends.