THE annual Toy Run is an impressive spectacle.
This year, more than 1,700 people took part, most in fancy dress, but some on fancy bikes.
The event sees thousands of people line the streets of the borough to watch the procession, which this year took more than half-an-hour to go through Shute End.
Organised by volunteers, and attended by ordinary bikers from all over the country, the event has just one aim in mind: to make it a happy Christmas for children who would otherwise have nothing.
The fancy dress and the large convoy is the cherry on the cake: at its heart, it is a simple exercise in giving selflessly to help others.
The bikers have to meet their own costs, have to buy their own fancy dress and they have to organise their own presents. There is nothing in it for them other than going for a ride around our wonderful borough.
And the bikers will never get to see the look of delight on the faces of the children who receive their generous gifts.
It is the true spirit of Christmas: giving not because they have to, but because they want to.
On page 20, you can see how this year’s Giving Tree is going: it’s not too late for you to give and give generously too. But you’ll need to hurry before all the tags go.
Make it a happy Christmas for someone you don’t know: give.
