Harley bikers raise money for guide dogs in memory of friend

A Harley Davidson owners group has raised more than a thousand pounds for guide dogs through a painting auction and gallery open day.
Shoreham Art Gallery donated 10 per cent of sales to Guide Dogs. Photo: Dennis HuntShoreham Art Gallery donated 10 per cent of sales to Guide Dogs. Photo: Dennis Hunt
Shoreham Art Gallery donated 10 per cent of sales to Guide Dogs. Photo: Dennis Hunt

The portrait of ‘Wadey’ the guide dog was painted by Wendy Standen, 69, an artist at Shoreham Art Gallery and member of 1066 Harley Owners Group (HOG).

The painting was commissioned by the Sussex-based biker group in memory of one of their members and presented to the gallery at an event on Sunday July 31.

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“We had a lovely morning with bikes and guide dogs and puppies”, said Mrs Standen.

The portrait was presented to the 1066 Harley Owners Group on SaturdayThe portrait was presented to the 1066 Harley Owners Group on Saturday
The portrait was presented to the 1066 Harley Owners Group on Saturday

Members of the 1066 chapter and the Shoreham Beach Hogs group met dogs and members of the Guide Dogs charity at the event.

“Shoreham Art Gallery was fabulous, they were so supportive”, said Mrs Standen.

Ten per cent of gallery sales on the day went to the charity, raising over £100.

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The Harley group originally sponsored the dog in memory of Dave Wadey, who died suddenly of a heart attack in April 2014. They raised several thousand pounds and named the labrador retriever ‘Wadey’, maintaining a keen interest in the dog as it grew up.

‘Wadey’, now 18 months old, recently completed his training and has been allocated to a family, where he will soon begin work as a guide dog.

“He was a lovely puppy”, said Mrs Standen. “He was with all the bikes and all the noise and he was completely calm.

“He is just like Dave, calm and laid back.”

The painting was sold on eBay, with the winning bid coming in at a fitting £1066 from the 1066 group.

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It was presented to the club at Shaw’s Harley Davidson dealership, near Lewes, on Saturday, where Mr Wadey’s family and other 1066 members had the opportunity to see ‘Wadey’ the labrador for the last time before he goes off to work.

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