HUNDREDS of heroes on bikes filled the streets on Sunday, as Reading Christian Motorcyclists and friends completed their 37th annual Reading Toy Run.
The riders, decked to the nines in Christmas bling, carried gifts for disadvantaged children and teenagers.
Dressed as Santas, snowmen, and superheroes, they formed a glittering convoy as they drove their multicoloured bikes and trikes from Shinfield to Wokingham.
Around 2,000 riders take part in the parade each year to deliver gifts for youngsters to Barnardo’s High Close School, off Wiltshire Road.
Highly popular with local residents, the event draws large crowds keen to see the spectacle of so many Santas on the road.
The bikers’ route took them along Lower Earley Way and Reading Road to Wokingham, via the Winnersh Roundabout.
The Toy Run is an important fundraiser for High Close school for youngsters with complex social, emotional and mental health needs.
Gill Mckernan, fundraising and special events organiser at the school took collection of the gifts.
“There are literally thousands and thousands of presents,” she said.
“Our band of volunteers, staff, governors, masons, and family members all helped to pile them onto tables, and there are so many that it’s impossible to count them.
“It was such an amazing day, saying hello to all the bikers.
“They had some lovely Christmas costumes, gents in festive suits, Disney characters, and Christmas tree get-ups.
“People went to great efforts to make it a fun occasion.
“The weather could have dampened the mood, but it really didn’t.”
Ms Mckernan is particularly grateful for the number of gifts for older children donated this year.
Youngsters at High Close School and at other Barnardos centres will benefit, but the Toy Run is so popular that there are enough to share with other children’s charities too.
“My job now is to run around collecting and distributing,” Ms Mckernan said.
“I’d like to thank Ready Steady Store for donating packing boxes.
“It’s very important to keep this wonderful Toy Run tradition going.
“There are so many families in the borough that won’t be able to afford much this year, but thanks to the huge number of donated gifts, lots of children will receive a Christmas present this year.”
For more information, contact: readingtoyrun@outlook.com, visit: www.readingtoyrun.blogspot.comor search for them on Facebook.
To find out about Barnardo’s and High Close School, log onto: www.barnardos.org.uk
