POOLE bikers have joined together for a ride in memory of lost friend Dan Jones, who died in a road accident last month.

Some 100 motorcycles joined The Ride of Respect on Monday in memory of the talented 23-year-old AFC Blandford player, who died following a collision with a car on the A356 at Maiden Newton at the end of May.

Leading the ride, which was organised by the Poole Quay Bikers Trust, were Dan’s close friends who were riding with him at the time of the accident. They set out from Baiter at 6pm to lay a wreath at the site of the accident.

Chris Seagal, who founded the trust, said: “He was a regular at Bike Night on Poole Quay and a couple of members of the trust knew him really well. The group mutually agreed to do something for him. He was so well known and such a nice lad. It makes you ask why this happens to nice people.”

The trust raises money for charities and for the families of bikers tragically killed in road accidents in area. Members pay £5 to join a ride – with all proceeds going to good causes. Monday evening’s ride raised around £800 for Dan’s family, who will donate it to a number of charities in Dan’s name.

Dan’s funeral was held last week (Monday June 10) at Blandford Parish Church, where his fellow Blandford players formed a guard of honour as the coffin was carried in. Named player of the year, Dan had been due to collect his trophy at the end of season dinner and dance on June 1.

He has been remembered as a “lovely, funny guy” who was “always making people laugh.”

AFC Blandford has retired his 'number four' shirt as a mark of respect, and has renamed its annual match the Daniel Jones Memorial Trophy, to be held on Saturday June 29.