Motorcyclists pay tribute to father-of-two who died in Penkridge crash

Father of two Tom Zmiko, from Featherstone, was thrown from his bike Teddesley Road on April 6.

The 26-year-old was resuscitated by paramedics after going into cardiac arrest and was airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital but died shortly after arrival, leaving behind his two daughters and his wife Sonja.

Members of Midlands Riders, based in Telford, decided they wanted to help Mr Zmiko's family by raising as much money as they could in his memory.

And on Sunday around 60 bikers took to the roads to take part in a ride in his memory, which travelled from Shifnal to Matlock Bath.

Chris Thomson, who organised the ride, said they did not expect so many people to turn up and he was overwhelmed with the money they raised for their friend Tommo.

"We were only planning on raising around £500 but to raise over £1,200 is just incredible.

"He was a great lad Tommo, he was one of the first members of Midlands Riders.

"He even came over to my house and was the first member to buy a hoodie.

"It's just surreal to think he's gone as I only saw him on the Sunday before he died and we were even having a bit of banter on Facebook, so to hear he'd died was a huge shock.

"He didn't come on all of our rides but he was one of our brothers and we felt that we had to do something to help his family.

"I know they have set up their own fundraising page, but we are like a family at Midlands Riders so we wanted to do something ourselves.

"We decided to dedicate the ride on Sunday, where were went to Matlock Bath to him and asked people for donations.

"When we arrived so many people knew what we were doing and gave us some money, which was incredible."

As well as giving the donations over to Mrs Zmiko, the bikers also had three Midlands Riders hoodies made for her and their two daughters in their favourite colours.

"They loved the hoodies and Sonja even told us the two girls wore them to school yesterday, which was great to hear," he added.

"We have vouched to continue raising money for Tommo, and it's also made me realise that I need to be more careful when out and about on my bike."

His friends and family have launched a fundraising drive to help pay for funeral costs.

They aimed to raise £1,000 but the total currently stands at £2,310.

Mr Zmiko lived in Oaks Drive and was riding a blue Kawasaki motorcycle when it was in collision with a red Toyota Land Cruiser.

The crash happened underneath an M6 bridge at around 5.45pm.

The driver of the Toyota was not injured.

The road remained closed for around three hours whilst a detailed investigation of the scene took place. Police spoke to witnesses to take statements as part of the investigation.

On the Go Fund Me fundraising webpage set up in memory of Mr Zmiko, his friend wrote: "Just want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has supported this fundraiser and all for donations made on this page and also the donation given to the family.

"You have all been amazing and it will make a massive difference to Sonja, the girls and family with help towards the funeral."