THE heartbroken sister of a bike enthusiast who died following a struggle with mental health has called on bikers to join forces for his final ride.

Jo White from Great Sankey has issued the plea ahead of older brother Colin Carpenter’s funeral on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old said: “I was going through old photos the other night and there are some pictures of Colin with bikes in the 80s.

“He’s about 16 – he has always been a petrol head.

“He was loving, generous and caring – he was everything you would want a big brother to be.

“I worshiped him. For all Colin’s faults - which we all have - I absolutely loved him to bits.

“He would do anything for anybody and always thought of other people first.

“I hope others will now do this for him.”

Born to proud parents Ann and Billy Carpenter, Colin, who has one son called Jack, loved bikes from an early age.

The former Great Sankey High School pupil – who was known to many as Woody - moved back to Warrington in 1984 after living in South Africa with his family for a number of years.

After leaving school he held down a number of jobs including working as a carpet fitter before moving to a garden maintenance company.

Colin, who moved to Cadishead two years ago, went on to work at Apple Web on Woolston Grange for 16 years.

But Colin first started to struggle following the sudden death of his mum in 2012 followed by the death of his eldest brother Danny in Christmas 2015.

Colin died on April 8 at the age of 45 at Salford Royal Hospital with his sister and friend by his side.

“My mum’s death was very unexpected,” said Jo.

“He started to deteriorate as he tried to cope with the death of my mum but he carried on.

“Then my eldest brother passed away at Christmas in 2015 and he really hit rock bottom and he never recovered.

“I have had to deal with three funerals – my mum and two brothers.

“Within five years three of my family have gone.”

But in spite of the agonising five years, Jo is determined to put on a brave face to make sure she gives her older brother the final send-off he deserves.

Bikers are asked to meet at Vose Close in Great Sankey at 3pm on Tuesday to be a part of the funeral procession.

This is followed by a service at 3.40pm at Walton Lea Crematorium and then The Royal Arms Pub on Liverpool Road in Cadishead to celebrate Colin's life.