John Reynolds goes two-up for Children In Need

John Reynolds took time out from his busy close-season schedule to take former Radio One and current Radio Northampton presenter Liz Kershaw for six high-speed laps of Rockingham circuit to raise cash for the BBC’s Children In Need appeal.

Kershaw has been a race fan since the age of 13, but only got the chance to get on a bike when Northampton motorcycle policeman Jack Douglas offered her a pillion ride. For Children In Need, Liz decided to get sponsorship, but then found she’d have to really work for the money, because John Reynolds heard about her plans and offered his services.

” I got a call telling me what Liz was doing for Children in Need and I was only too happy to get involved, ” John said.

His Red Bull Ducati was fitted with a pillion pad for the occasion.

She said ” John was so kind to me. I wanted to chicken out and asked him if I could just sit on the bike for photos and pretend we’d done it. Thankfully he wouldn’t let me and he made me feel totally at ease when we set off. ”

After six laps aboard the bike he won at Brands WSB on, Reynolds said: ” It was great fun and it’s nice to share the superbike experience with others and although you can’t accelerate as hard as you normally would it still gives them a chance to feel what 180bhp is like. ”

Liz raised over £3000, including nearly £2000 from Northamptonshire Police.

She is also auctioning off a Suomy Gunwind Troy Corser replica lid, like the one she wore. Email Liz at liz.kershaw@bbc.co.u with your bid.