LONDONDERRY -- MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIAST Rick Rushton had never met 10-year-old Bella Tucker before Sunday. After hearing her story, however, the Danville resident said he was happy to come home from his vacation early if it meant he could help out her cause.

“I drove down from Maine this morning,” said Rushton, who met up with several of his co-workers from Palmer Gas to participate in Sunday's third annual “Ride for Bella.”

Rushton and co-worker Paul Perry of Derry were among the several hundred bikers and passengers who traveled from the Steve N' James Tavern in Derry to Seacoast Harley-Davidson in North Hampton and back.

The charity event raised thousands of dollars to assist Bella and her family with her medical expenses.

Bella, a Londonderry Middle School student, has been readjusting to life without limbs after contracting streptococcus pneumonia sepsis in spring 2010. The infection forced doctors to amputate her arms and legs in order to save her life.

One hour before the riders departed, Bella's mother, Selena Roarty, said she'd already registered more than 200 participants.

“I think this is even bigger than last year's,” Roarty said with a grin.

Nearby, Bella and her best friend, Hailey, hung out in the shade, eager to spend the day on the road.

“She's very excited about this,” her mom said, noting that this year was the first time Bella was able to ride in the event — and in her very own customized sidecar.

A raffle of dozens of donated items, including airline tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, concert tickets, fireworks and other goodies, a barbecue and live band rounded out the day's festivities.

Local police officers, including members of the Salem, Auburn, Londonderry, Windham and Methuen, Mass., police departments, served as volunteer escorts during the ride.

Among those leading the pack of bikers were Jim Fronk, a radio DJ with 106.3 Frank FM, and his passenger, Heather Rydstrom of Windham.

Rydstrom, a friend of Bella and her family, said she's been involved in the event since the beginning and noted that last year's ride raised more than $16,000.

“Miss Bella was bashful and didn't want to lead the ride, so I volunteered to help lead the way,” she said as she prepared to hop on the back of Fronk's Harley-Davidson.

Several feet back, a sunglasses-sporting Bella was all smiles in her sidecar as Jessica Rodolph revved the engine.

“You'll never meet a bunch of more charitable individuals than a bunch of leather-wearing guys driving $20,000 bikes,” said Alton resident Ken Robert, who lined up alongside his friends Matt and Paula Troiano of New Durham.

Matt Troiano said the event has certainly come a long way since that first year, which he also participated in.

“I think there were, like, 170 people here,” Troiano said. “So this is just really, really fantastic.”

For more information, visit www.rideforbella.org.

aguilmet@newstote.com