Bikers come to Thetford in their hundreds to support teenager Austin Dale after suffering a stroke

Around 300 motorbikes were seen in Thetford on Sunday as they rallied to the call of a town motovlogger and social media influencer to support of a teenager who was recovering from a stroke.

Jimmy Boyce, otherwise known as motojimm online, asked bikers who follow him on social media to come to the town for a ride out for 13-year-old Austin Dale – who is a massive fan of his.

Austin was rushed to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on May 21, after playing in goal for Thetford Bulldogs under-13s.

Starting at the Forest Retail Park next to the A11, the procession of bikes, mopeds, scooters and trikes worked its way through the town reaching Austin, his family and supporters at Thetford Academy.

Jimmy, who has more than 500,000 followers on social media and led the ride out, said: “This turnout is phenomenal and great to see so many rider I know and some I don’t do this for Austin and his family.

“I just want to thank everybody who has taken time out of their day to come here to support this ride out and the bikers who have come from near and far, this has been amazing.”

A bucket collection on the day raised £550 in aid of Addenbrooke’s Hospital – where Austin was treated after being transferred from West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds – as well as Different Strokes, which provides a unique service to younger stroke survivors and information about stroke in young people.

Austin’s dad, Paul said: “We are just overwhelmed by just how many people have come for the ride out so Austin can see their bikes.

“To go from where he was six weeks ago to how Austin is now it is just amazing and that has been helped by things like this, the messages he has had from the footballing community at all levels and the local support – we just can’t thank everyone enough for the support they have given him.”