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“Dream come true” for Falklands veteran after being presented with crowdfunded trike

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 16:33, Monday August 2nd, 2021.
Last updated: 16:33, Monday August 2nd, 2021

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Norman Hyde, left, presents the ignition key to Simon Weston, centre, and Hank Hancock of Trike Design
Norman Hyde, left, presents the ignition key to Simon Weston, centre, and Hank Hancock of Trike Design

Falklands War veteran Simon Weston CBE has been presented with a Triumph trike to mark his 60th birthday.

The trike was presented to Mr Weston, who is originally from Nelson, at Caerphilly-based Trike Design, on Pontygwindy Industrial Estate.

The three-wheeler was built and specially adapted for Mr Weston, who suffered severe burn injuries and lost fingers while on the RFA Sir Galahad, which was bombed by the Argentine Air Force in 1982.

The trike was donated by Triumph Motorcycles and modified in Caerphilly by Trike Design, following a £25,000 crowdfunding effort led by former Triumph engineer Norman Hyde.

It has been a dream of Mr Weston to go biking since he was a teenager.

Falklands veteran Simon Weston tries out his new Triumph trike
Falklands veteran Simon Weston tries out his new Triumph trike

After receiving the trike, Mr Weston said it was a “dream come true” and thanked Mr Hyde and everyone involved in the crowdfunding effort.

Two years ago, Mr Weston met former Mr Hyde and told him of his wish to have a trike.

Mr Hyde said: “Knowing what Simon had given to our country and knowing what good people there are in the bike world, from manufacturers and importers, through dealers to clubs and riders, I immediately said ‘Leave it to me, I’ll fix it’.”


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Donations ranging from £5 to four-figure sums were made towards the cause.

The Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club was among those to donate, alongside the Duke of Richmond and the Motorcycle Industry Association.

Mr Weston’s helmet was donated by LS2 and gloves are being produced by Held Motorcycle Clothing.

Since suffering his injuries, Mr Weston has become an advocate for troops and veterans’ rights, and has taken part in numerous charitable events.

He was awarded an OBE in 1992 and was made a CBE in 2016.

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Trike Design
Trike Design

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