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A Brief History of the Daisy Chain Run

The Daisy Chain Run was started in 1991 by Paddy Hinton, following the death of his father Keith. Paddy wanted a unique way of raising money for the Southampton based Wessex Cancer Trust, so with his connections with local motorcyclists, he decided to do a motorcycle run, starting at the Elephant and Castle pub in Totton. That year 101 bikes took part. From that day onwards Paddy didn't' realise just what he had started…

The response from those taking part was so great, that it was decided to carry on, and after two years finishing at the Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst, the run moved to the Crown Sturrup in Lyndhurst. By then 240 bikes were taking part. Space then again became a problem, and the event was moved yet again to the Beaulieu Road Hotel. By the second year there, with 360 bikes in total, Paddy announced the news that everyone dreaded. The run had to end as Paddy was getting married and was moving with his wife, Chris, to Ripon in Yorkshire. Two helpers sat in the marquee were then press ganged into continuing the event. Maria Eade and Gilly Jones did the following years run again at the Beaulieu Road. Total that year was 380 bikes. 1998 was time to move again, and at that years event saw an unprecedented turnout of over 750 bikes ending up at the Flying Boat in Calshot. By this time, Paddy was overseeing the run from "up-north" and Gilly was working things on the ground. From 1998 onwards the run moved forward into being one of the largest independently organised runs in the country. Yes, there are a lot of bigger runs, but they are mostly organised by clubs, and not just a few nutters.

By now, word had spread. The Daisy chain was an event that everyone, and anyone could take part in, from clubs, trikes, scooters and race bikes. And it was raising money for charity. The last 4 years. Fawley Parish Council has donated the huge gang Warily Site and numbers have increased.

2001 saw again another shock announcement. Paddy had felt that the run had done its job raising over £40,000 for the Wessex Cancer Trust, and that the Daisy chain would end!

By now, the run was enjoyed by thousands of people, not only the 2500 riders taking part, but by hundreds of people who lined the route to add their support. Sadness overwhelmed the crowd as Paddy made his speech, but everyone was aware that the event was intensely personal to Paddy and it was his choice.

Little did they know that their response had an effect on Paddy and he felt it was proper at the presentation of the cheque to the Wessex Cancer Trust in August to hand the event over to Gilly.

Having always named the Runs after Films or TV programmes, Gilly called the 11th Daisy chain Run "The Next Generation" originally to show that the run was still moving forward. She didn't realise how poignant that decision was….

In January of 2002 Gilly lost her mother to cancer, and "The Next Generation" took on a whole new feel.

On Sunday 11th May it was hoped that 3000 bikes may take part, but again as Paddy had felt 10 years prior, Gilly didn't realise just how well supported the event had become. Over 4500 bikes took part filling a 8 mile road with bikes.

Where does it go from here???......

Click here for details for the forthcoming 2003 DaisyChain Run