More than 500 people joined in charity ride in memory of motorbike-loving triple-killing victim Grace O’Malley Kumar
More than 500 people honoured a triple-murder victim at an emotional 100-mile-plus remembrance ride.
Grace O’Malley Kumar was killed in Nottingham in June 2023 by Valdo Calocane — a shocking incident in which Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates also lost their lives.
Organised by Dave Merry, the charity ride raised just under £6,000 for the Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation, which was set up to fund causes the medical student supported and that embodied her values — as well as to keep her memory alive.
“I arranged this event because I knew Grace and am a family friend so it was very touching and emotional for me to see so many people take time out of their busy lives to attend, a lot of whom would have only known about Grace through hearing or reading about the tragic event that took place on June 13, 2023,” said Dave.
About 100 bikers met at North Weald Airfield in Essex on Sunday along with Nottinghamshire Blood Bikers and cars, Essex Police, a recovery truck from Jackson’s Recovery, Nottingham and I-grade Medical and Ambulance Services Ltd.
The group left at 11am and — via a route stop at Peterborough Services where about 100 more riders joined the journey — made their way to Newark Showground.
When the group arrived at Newark Showground a number of stalls provided refreshments and food, along with a pop-up Prosecco Bar provided by Lee Emery from Essex.
Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes unveiled and presented a new addition to their fleet, a BMW motorbike, named after Grace to her family.
At the event, there were also stands from Vertu Honda Nottingham and Apex 66. Nottinghamshire Fire Service also attended in a fire truck and a stage provided by ARC Sound Ltd and a DJ from Newark Disco.
There was a raffle with numerous prizes including Vertu Honda car hire services; ITS Tools £500 worth of tools; Waltham Cross motorcycles £250 alpine motorbike jacket; Bacons East Bacons east London Kawasaki £200 pound shop voucher; Essex industrial services Thurrock £200-pound socket set; Apex 66; J&S accessories Nottingham donated a £50 pound shop voucher; Essex Allure beauty and tanning Sunbed voucher from Essex allure half an hour sunbed session; RTS roofing supplies Walthamstow donated £200 pound and Bloomin Lovely Garden Chingford donated £100 pound.
Dave has been friends with Grace’s family for nearly 20 years as he used to work with her dad Dr Sanjoy Kumar when he was a police doctor.
He is a serving Metropolitan police officer and Dr Kumar opened a covid vaccination centre in Waltham Forest — with Dave co-ordinating the operation.
On a previous interview with the Newark Advertiser he said: “While I was there Grace would say to me that she felt safe with me being there on duty.
”I made a promise to Grace that no matter what time of day it was I would always be there for her, unfortunately on June 13, 2023 I failed her by not being there for her when this horrendous attack took place.”
Grace was a dedicated medical student and a member of the England Hockey team.
She was fond motorbikes, in particular her beloved Vespa.
