The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A grieving mum says she hopes the death of her 20-year-old daughter will make motorists think more about the safety of motorcyclists.
Last Thursday 33 bikers gathered to be part of the funeral procession for Amy Cooper of Whaplode Drove.
She died after being involved in a collision with a BMW Three Series estate around 5pm on Sunday, November 13.
Amy was on her way home from one of the weekly Dungeons and Dragons games she played alongside partner Dean at a friend’s Holbeach home.
“She went every weekend, 2pm to 6pm, but decided to come home early as the weather was so bad,” said mum Mandy Cooper. “I’d text her to say the same, but she never got that message.
“She was a really good rider and had been riding for three years.
“She’d spent the summer riding around the New Forest after taking on a summer job in Lymington.
“Her love of riding came from her father Alf.
“I used to ride bikes myself but it always worried me Amy was doing so as I know how vulnerable they can be, but she loved it so much and that’s how Amy was.
“She was a free spirit, very independent, who lived her life how she wanted.
“She was always so kind and all the tributes that came in after her death reflected that.
“Any was very inclusive, hated bullying, discrimination and showed her support for LGBTQ rights.
“She was a shining light in my life, a loyal friend and loved her family too, and especially loved to be the cool auntie to her two little nieces aged three and five.
“I miss her so much already, 20 years of Amy was nowhere near enough, but sadly it is going to have to be.
“It would have been fascinating to see what paths she took in the future, but all I can do now is hang onto those wonderful memories and hold that light in my heart.”
Amy had previously worked at Taylors Bulbs, where she met Dean, The Royal Lymington Yacht Club where she’d recently taken up sailing and Benny’s Diner in Long Sutton.
Amy’s older siblings also provided tributes at her funeral.
Eldest sister Charlotte, who has Down’s Syndrome, remembered Amy’s kindness and her commitment to find gluten-free ice cream for her.
Brother Ed spoke of teaching her to walk saying: “It hurts beyond all reckoning I’m never going to see where life would have taken with all your quirks and crazy ambitions.”
Sister Sam spoke of reading her books and changing nappies while also thanking those who helped her by the roadside following the incident that ended her life.
“I’m so glad she lived her short life for her and no-one else,” she said.
Amy’s friends Abby Wright and Louise Nichols also spoke of their memories including of their leaving prom from University Academy Holbeach.
Mandy described the funeral as “heartbreaking but stunning” adding the family have been “blown away” by the tributes and support.
“I would like to thank all the people who came to both the church and the crematorium and showed their love for Amy and support for us, her family.
“A massive thank you to all the bikers who turned out despite the freezing temperatures, we were blown away by how many did and so touched by their solidarity given many of them would not have known Amy.
“For me, the more positive images of all the people who attended and the stunning motorbike escort have overtaken the devastating images of Amy losing her fight for life in hospital and that is helping me to cope.
“I hope the other motorists around Spalding didn’t mind being inconvenienced as the cortege passed by and understood how much it meant to a grieving family.
“I hope the sight of the motorbike escort will have made other motorists have a little more thought for their safety in the future.”
A 28-year-old man from the Holbeach area has been arrested in connection with the collision.
