A GRIEVING couple opened their home for a charity event in memory of their “motorbike mad” son yesterday.

David and Joan Short, from Bishop Auckland, spoke of their comfort at raising hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support with the fun day.

They remember 31-year-old Wayne Short, their only son, as a fun-loving and caring person who will be much missed.

The mechanic was wellknown among the biking community, but lost his battle with a rare form of cancer in December.

Businesses, friends and family donated more than 140 raffle prizes for the fundraiser at the family’s home on Woodhouse Lane.

The dress code for the event was black and orange, to match the colours of the mechanic’s KTM motorbike, while cream teas and beef sandwiches were enjoyed by guests under gazebos set up in the garden.

Before falling ill in 2007, Mr Short won a string of racing trophies.

His father began growing his beard shortly after his death to dye it black and orange in tribute to his son for yesterday’s event.

Mrs Short was overjoyed as dozens turned out to support the event.

She said: “This is something we can do for Macmillan and, hopefully, to benefit other people going through the same traumatic time we went through with Wayne.

“This is brilliant. It is a wonderful tribute to Wayne. It is heartrending when I think about it, it is really quite emotional.”

The mechanic started his career at Davison’s Haulage, in Coundon, but later worked for the American army with the M and E Group in Hinesville, Georgia.

When he was diagnosed, his colleagues helped to raise $2,520 for the American medical bills.

His father said yesterday: “We could not save Wayne and, unfortunately, some families will be starting where we left off. We are therefore trying to do what we can to help them and to honour Wayne’s memory. The support from everyone has been tremendous.”