Money pours in for Doncaster dad killed in bike track tragedy in Australia

Christopher Fitzgerald, 46, suffered fatal injuries when his bike crashed at Perth Raceway in Western Australia on December 16.

His funeral took place last week but money has continued to pour into a crowdfunding campaign for his devastated family. You can donate HERE

Organiser Beckie Metcalfe said: “I’m fundraising for my family in Australia who have suddenly and tragically lost a much loved husband, dad, ga ga, brother and friend.

“Chris was a much loved and very popular guy who was all of the things mentioned above. Tis whole family has been devastated by Chris’s sudden death and without him they now have a massively reduced income.

“Can we all please donate, no matter how small, every penny will help them financially and will just take off the pressure a tiny bit, to allow them to grieve and not have to worry about the bills at such a sad time?

The Doncaster-born motorcycle enthusiast was killed when his bike crashed at the track shortly before Christmas.

His wife Tina Shoults described him as “the life and soul of the party” following the crash which send shockwaves through the local motorcycle racing community.

The West Australian newspaper reported that emergency services were alerted to the crash about 10.15am but despite the efforts of paramedics and an on-site ambulance crew, Mr Fitzgerald’s life couldn’t be saved.

Mr Fitzgerald’s wife, Tina, said her husband “died doing something he loved”.

She told the newspaper: “I still think he‘s just going to come back. I just want the day to start over and it to all be OK.

“We are still in shock and grieving, he was amazing.

“He raced all his life and he was a very experienced rider, that’s why no one understands what happened.”

Mr Fitzgerald - who ran his own plumbing and gas-fitting business – had been with Tina for 26 years and the couple were married for seven years, migrating to Australia from Doncaster after meeting in a butcher’s shop.

He worked on Doncaster Market as well as at Cooplands and was a familiar face during his time in Doncaster.

“He never did anything wrong to anybody, he was nice to everyone . . . the life and soul of the party,” Ms Shoults said. “He’s a trickster a prankster, you name it, he’s that.”

On the day of the tragedy, Ms Shoults urged event staff to continue the day as that’s what her husband “would have wanted”.

“Chris would want the event to carry on,” she said. “They put him on the screen and said they will retire his number. He’d just want everyone to celebrate.”

The Motor Cycle Racing Club of Western Australia posted on Facebook: “Chris Fitzgerald raced with the club since 2019, and was a larger-than-life regular that kept those near him on their toes in case of being the focus of some wicked banter.”

As well as Tina, Mr Fitzgerald also leaves daughter Leanne and son in law Adam as well as four year-old grandson Olly who he described as his “best friend.”