HUNDREDS of scooter riders rode through the York in the April sunshine as part of a charity event to remember an enthusiast known as “Vespa John”.

More than 200 riders gathered yesterday morning at the Castle Museum, in York, and held a minute’s silence in memory of John Norman Martin, who died suddenly in his sleep at his Bishopthorpe home on March 30 last year, aged 53.

The procession then made its way to Hutton-le-Hole for the charity event organised by the York Inset Scooter Club, and friends of the popular Vespa enthusiast.

Riders paid £5 to take part and all proceeds will go to the York branch of the Normandy Veterans Association.

For the last seven years of his life, John was a member of the club where he was a familiar sight on his Vespa, called Chips which was decorated in the colours of a US highway patrol motorcycle.

John’s sister, Dawn Pawson, was taken along for the ride in a 1967 Triumph sidecar and his parents, Derek and Ruby, both in their 80s, also joined the group for the day.

Dawn, of Acomb, said: “It has been an absolutely brilliant day. I have never seen so many scooters, Vespas and motorcycles in all my life.

“At the start everyone held a minute’s silence for John which brought a lump to my throat – it was lovely for everyone to do that – and we have raised so much money.

“We still have to tot it up but it is hundreds of pounds.”

Dawn thanked those taking part on behalf of herself, husband Nigel, her brother, David, and sister, Caroline.

John was born in Campleshon Road, York, and was a pupil at Tadcaster Grammar School.

He was one of the earliest members of York Scooter Club when it was founded in the 1970s.