Bike, Chopper

item details

NameBike, Chopper

ProductionRaleigh; manufacturer(s); circa 1974; United Kingdom

Classificationbicycles

Materialsmetal, rubber, vinyl, plastic

DimensionsApproximate: 710mm (width), 1105mm (height), 1350mm (length), 18.05kg (weight)

Registration NumberGH024007

Credit lineGift of the Timmings family in memory of Geoffrey Timmings, 2012

Overview

This popular 1970s Chopper bike by Raleigh was owned by Geoffrey Timmings (1964-75) who was 8 years old when he won the bike in a competition run by the Wellington Fruiterers Association. Geoffrey was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour at the time. To win the competition he had to save the most apple and pear pips. Many people joined in his plight and contributed their pips including hospital staff, family, friends and neighbours.

Geoffrey won the bike on the 8 June 1974 – it was his pride and joy! He got to ride and enjoy his bike a few times before becoming too ill to ride it. He died on 8 March 1975.

The bike was never ridden by any of the other five children in the family. It was kept in storage until 2012 when Geoffrey’s mother donated it to Te Papa.