International Blue Knights award for Lochailort-based charity co-founder
The tables were turned on the co-founder of Lochailort-based charity Kirsty’s Kids when he attended a meeting to thank and present an award to a group who had helped him in his fundraising efforts.
John Brydon and his wife Jan joined members of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (BKLEMC) to recognise their efforts but the charity organisation had actually lined up an award for John to mark his extraordinary work.
BKLEMC is an international motorcycle club which was started in the USA but now has chapters in about 29 countries around the world.
Its members are all active or retired men and women of the law enforcement community who enjoy riding motorcycles.
It is a non-profit organisation and has worldwide donated over 18 million US dollars to worthy causes. Its aim is to promote the positive aspects of motorcycling to the public and to meet like-minded people from over the world.
As a former Police Officer John had been supported by the organisation as he made his way across the World on his late daughter’s small motorcycle to raise money for the charity set up in her name.
There are three Chapters in Scotland and as a member of Chapter II he attended their recent UK and Ireland Conference in Edinburgh.
John was taken completely by surprise when he was invited on stage to receive a UK&I commendation certificate presented by Chapter II President Ewen Skinner and plaque bearing the organisations’ International and Scotland II crests.
In a very rare occurrence the certificate was also personally endorsed and signed by DJ Alvarez, the International President who heard about the award when he was in Britain and added his own accolade.
John said: “I was completely bowled over by these awards which quite literally came ‘Out of the Blue’.
“The Blue Knights have supported Kirsty’s Kids for over 11 years, providing me with invaluable help right across the globe as I made my way across many countries of Kirsty’s wee bike to help set up the charity.
They have also helped greatly with donations and fund raising.
“I wanted to recognise them for all the good they have done and certainly wasn’t expecting this award from them.”
John’s citation said: “This is presented to John Bryden for his outstanding charity work at home and in Ukraine, upholding the highest ideals of the Blue Knights.”
After recovering from this surprise presentation, John and Jan were able to return the compliment with an award of their own to the Blue Knights.
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