A PENSIONER became a rebel with a cause when she saddled up for her first ride on a motorbike – at the age of 86.

Jessie White, of Greenhurst Road, Brightlingsea, whizzed through the town on the back of former mayor Alan Goggins’s powerful Yamaha bike, an experience Mrs White thought she might never enjoy after having a double heart bypass op.

The ride was to raise money to buy a new minibus to allow Family Support Brightlingsea to take more elderly residents out to events and lunch clubs.

Mrs White said: “It was marvellous, even though it was pouring with rain. I could have done it for longer. It was quite fast in some places and we went all round the town. I think I did very well.”

She hopes to raise at least £1,000 towards the £45,000 cost of replacing one of the charity’s minibuses.

Roy Beckwith, who co-ordinates the group’s fundraising efforts, said: “Jessie came up with the idea herself. Everyone applauds her for what she is doing – this is much bigger than anything any individual has done for us before.”

l To help the appeal, call 01206 303702.