WATCH: 20 vans and motorbikes ride to Knutsford in tribute to motorcyclist killed in crash

Dad-of-two Ian Glanister, from Parr, was on his way home from work at Egertons Recovery in Knutsford on Thursday, March 28 when he was involved in a crash with a car leaving Cottons Hotel on Manchester Road at around 6.25pm.

The 29-year-old died at the scene.

He leaves behind his wife Leighanne and two daughters Jennifer, five and Megan, nine.

He was also in many Facebook groups involving vehicle enthusiasts and had worked on several vehicles to add modifications. Ian won awards for taking part in various shows.

When his friends heard of the news they organised a ride from Tesco in St Helens to the crash site on Manchester Road using their vans, lit up mostly orange, in tribute to his most recent van which he had painted bright orange.

Ian's friend Andy Barton, 30, from Thatto Heath, helped to organise the event.

He added: "Me and Ian became friends after having similar interests in vehicles and he was the type of lad who put his family and friends first, he doted on the girls and Leighanne and then he loved his motors, they were the only things that came before motors.

"We would be up till all hours working on them together sometimes, once he did up this ex-RAC van and modified it with horns and lights and everything and painted it bright orange.

"The back was his workshop and the front bit had a bench and TV.

"The guy he sold it to said we can have it there for his funeral, which will mean a lot. He loved that van.

"He was in a lot of different groups on Facebook for motorbikes and vans etc and went to shows previously so when we heard he died we decided to do a ride a long from Tesco in St Helens to the crash site.

"I wasn't expecting so many, but more than 20 vans were there with bright orange lights, just like his van.

"We felt like he was with us and we took Leighanne up with us. We will do that again for the funeral, to celebrate his life and the kind of lad he was.

"Always there for everyone."

Ian's wife Leighanne, added: "Seeing all those vans and motorbikes there for Ian was just overwhelming.

"Police shut the road off where the crash happened so we could just be there and the hotel let them park about 20 vans there while we paid our respects.

"Some came from as far as Blackpool, many didn't know him but knew of him.

"The support from the vehicle groups, St Helens and Knutsford communities has just meant so much to us.

"Thank you all so much for having us in your thoughts and prayers.

"Please take from this that you never know what moment will be your last, hug your loved ones, you never know if they will come home."

A fundraising page has been set up to raise funds for Ian's family and his funeral costs.

To donate visit bit.ly/2FILyHE