‘Knight Ride’ – Motorcycle ride and cookout to benefit Windham officer

Salem Editor — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:46:00 GMT

A Windham police officer is battling liver cancer and his colleagues and close friends have organized a motorcycle ride and cookout to help him and his family.

Mark Knight, 40, faces a long and tough road to recovery, according to the benefit’s organizers.

“Mark’s a hard worker and the type of guy that if anyone needs help, he’d be right there,” said Sgt. Michael Caron. “He’s a super nice guy.”

Knight was diagnosed with cancer in July 2006. He underwent surgery to have a cancerous tumor removed, then spent several months receiving chemotherapy and radiation.

He recently ended his treatments but learned the cancer had spread into his liver. Knight, a former Salem resident, has been a patrolman for Windham for seven years. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a 6-year-old daughter.

The “Knight Ride,” which will travel through scenic back roads to the seacoast, will kickoff at Park Place Lanes in Windham on Saturday, June 23.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. The ride starts at 9 a.m. Riders will each receive a T-shirt.

The ride will conclude at the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge on Route 111 in Salem. That is where the cookout will take place from noon to 5 p.m.

The event will feature a silent auction, music provided by a deejay and performances by the ILL Minded Racing Stunt Team.

“They do crazy things on motorcycles,” Caron said.

Participating in the ride cost $25 per rider and $10 per passenger. Admission to the cookout is $20 per person. Children under 12 are admitted to the cookout for $5 each.

Riders can register at the Windham Police Station, during the morning of the ride, or by sending an e-mail to knight ride07@yahoo.com.

Admission to the cookout is free with rider registration. Tickets to the cookout only may be purchased separately.

The benefit, which will be held rain or shine, is being organized by the Windham Police Association.

Organizers are also raffling a 2008 Harley Davidson Street Glide motorcycle. Tickets cost $100 each and 300 will be sold. Tickets will be available at the benefit. The winning ticket will be drawn Oct. 4.

People who cannot attend the benefit can make a financial contribution.

Contributions to benefit the Knight family and the American Cancer Society should be made payable to Windham Police Association “Knight Ride” and be sent to Citizen’s Bank, 115 Indian Rock Road, Windham, NH 03087.

Windham News : benefit

‘Knight Ride’ – Motorcycle ride and cookout to benefit Windham officer