FRIENDS of a college lecturer killed in a motorbike tragedy are to make his funeral an occasion to remember.

A motorcycle cavalcade will follow Gerry Fenwick-White's coffin from his Highfields home to Huddersfield Crematorium at Fixby on Wednesday.

People who knew the popular 38-year-old - along with any motorcyclist wanting to pay tribute to him - are welcome to join the cavalcade.

Gerry died when his motorcycle crashed in an intersection tunnel linking the M1 southbound at junction 42 with the M62 westbound at Lofthouse Gate, north of Wakefield, at 2.40am last Monday.

He was a lecturer in performing arts and taught the BTEC first diploma in drama, music theatre and dance at Huddersfield Technical College.

He also co-founded the college's Staff Motorcycle Club last June with Nicola Miller, Jonathan Taylor and Mark Broadfield.

Jonathan said club members had ridden to Fleetwood in Lancashire last Saturday to organise a parachute jump for charity.

Gerry was going to do his for Kirkwood Hospice.

Other group members will go ahead with the jump in late June and will all now do it for Kirkwood Hospice in Gerry's memory.

Jonathan added: "We watched people parachuting all day and Gerry was very excited about having a go.

"We decided it would be appropriate to go ahead with the event, call it Jump For Gerry and raise money for Kirkwood Hospice."

Gerry lived near the Technical College with his wife, Fliss.

Jonathan said: "Gerry absolutely adored Fliss and they were beautiful together.

"We just can't imagine the pain she is going through."

Fliss has asked for no flowers at the funeral as she associates them with happy occasions.

Instead, there will be a collection on the day for campaigning charity the British Motorcyclists' Federation.

Jonathan said: "Gerry was a striking figure because of his Mohican hairdo.

"He was a totally upfront and honest man and loved to talk about motorbikes.

"He was just so easy to talk to and get on with.

"He had an absolute commitment to his job and his students.

"He was invited to go to a rally at the TT on the Isle of Man in the May half-term break, but had turned it down because he had promised to help his students."

Gerry's close friends in the Staff Motorcycle Club were Kai Beswick, Andy Butterworth and Dave and Janice Clitheroe.

The club has close connections with Huddersfield University Motorcycle Club and Huddersfield Motorcycle Action Group.

Jonathan said: "Our club had really grown, with many new members. Everyone will miss Gerry deeply.

"He had a Harley Davidson and loved those bikes. We would like people riding Harleys to be at the front of the cavalcade.

"This is our chance to have one last ride with an amazing man."

People riding in the cavalcade should meet at the Head Of Steam pub in St George's Square at 1.15pm on Wednesday.

They will then ride to Gerry's home on New North Road, where there will be 15 minutes of silence.

The hearse will set off at 2.05pm for the Fixby Road crematorium.

The service will start at 2.30pm.

Afterwards, people are welcome back at the Highfields Annexe Theatre, where Gerry taught.

Gerry had been very much involved in setting up the motorcycle group's website and people can post messages of sympathy or anecdotes about him at www.htcmcc.co.uk

A book of condolence featuring Harley Davidsons will be available to be signed on the day of the funeral and then presented to Gerry's family.