Hundreds of Santas deliver thousands of presents at fourth annual Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy Run
Gemma Long, Ashley Presland, Steve Jenkins, Jane and Ed Barnes, Dean Howard, Ashley Palmer, Sally Howard, Mark Palmer, Law Doman and Adele Lawton. - Credit: Archant
More than 380 bikers dressed as Santa, elves, snowmen and reindeer delivered thousands of Christmas presents to children at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Sunday.
The fourth edition of the Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy Run attracted its biggest turnout yet, with 387 bikers and dozens of passengers being cheered on by busy crowds.
Riders and passengers from Chatteris, Manea, Doddington, Littleport, Ely, Cambridge and further afield helped to fill 15 cages with sacks of toys and presents.
Spot the Santa - Credit: Archant
Founder Peter Vasey said: “We first started the yearly event in 2013, and expecting only 40 or 50 bikes we attracted about 160.
“We knew a couple of bikers who worked in the police force and they came and helped us with organising the event.
The bikers took a selfie before delivering their presents. - Credit: Archant
“We’ve seen this event grow from strength to strength, and this year we counted 387 bikes, but then adding up the pillions, about 500 were involved.
“It is a fantastic amount of people who gave up their Saturday and Sunday.
Hundreds of Santas at the toy run. - Credit: Archant
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“A big thank you goes out to all the biker groups, plus all the volunteers, the police, the Cambridge Wind musical band, ‘Happily Ever After’ (Elsa, Anna and Minion) and the hospital play team and ward staff who do such a brilliant job.”
Samantha Davis, who took part in the Christmas toy run, said: “Being a mother, I found it very emotional when meeting up with all the little ones in hospital.
Hundreds of bikers took part in the toy run. - Credit: Archant
“It’s also highly rewarding knowing that their spirits were uplifted having received so many Christmas presents which had been donated by so many caring people.”
Gemma Long, who took part in the toy run, wrote on social media: “Had a lovely time at the Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy Run. It was freezing! But all for a good cause.”
Sorting through hundreds of donated toys and gifts. - Credit: Archant
Law Doman, one of the bikers on the day, added: “Awesome morning doing the Addenbrooke’s toy run. So many bikes and presents I couldn’t believe it. Can’t wait for next year!”
Another person commended the toy run on Facebook, writing: “You’ve made a massive difference to a lot of people’s lives today; a smile goes a long way.”
Hundreds of Santas heading into Addenbrooke's Hospital. - Credit: Archant
The Cambridge Wind Band performing at Addenbrooke's Hospital. - Credit: Archant
Littleport 363 MCC member Rob Reynolds. - Credit: Archant
