Last updated at 21:58, Thursday, 03 July 2008

WHILE her friends arrived elegantly in limos, Netherhall School’s prom queen found a different way to travel to the school dance - on a motorbike.

Not only did she hitch an unusual ride to the prom, but Anna Gorley, 16, of Church Road, Flimby, was accompanied by 26 bikers all helping her to raise money for charity.

Anna told her family that she did not want to follow the crowd when it came to the Maryport school’s prom but she was only semi-serious when she said she might go by motorbike.

However, sister Jenna, who is studying performance, festival and events management at university, seized on the idea and helped Anna to turn a trip to the prom into an event.

The girls canvassed local businesses. Hairdresser Jonathan Cuthell from Morgan’s in Maryport did her hair for free, Marie McCracken of Jazz did her make-up and nails and Root 66, the florist, provided a wrist corsage.

The money raised all went to the Huntington’s Disease Association, a charity raising money for research into a disease which, through a faulty gene, causes gradual physical and mental changes in people.

Members of various biking groups turned up to escort Anna to the ball at the Washington Hotel in Workington.

Her sister said: “Parents were standing around watching their children and limos were arriving every few minutes. All of a sudden there was this huge noise and more than 20 motor bikes roared up.

“People looked really shocked at first but when Anna got off there was loud applause.”

Anna had originally planned to wear her gown on the motorbike but heavy rain put paid to that idea.

However, she was fully made up and her hair withstood the indignity of being crushed under a motorcycle helmet.

An original start to the school event had a dream ending when she was crowned prom queen.

First published at 19:43, Thursday, 03 July 2008
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk