A GROUP of bikers will be blessing children in the borough for the 37th time, this December.
Reading Christian Motorcyclists will once again be holding their annual Reading Toy Run.
The event sees hundreds of riders in Santa costumes travel in convoy to Wokingham, carrying toys for disadvantaged children and teenagers.
Rolling road closures are put in place each year for the procession of gift-bearing bikers, with hundreds of people lining the streets to watch the spectacle.
Organiser Denis Denmead said: “It’s a fantastic, colourful parade, and these days, it’s just as full of superheroes as Santas.
“People are just as likely to dress as Spiderman, Superman, or Batgirl.
“Last year we even had Kermit and Miss Piggy.
“And there’s such competition to decorate the bikes with lights and decorations.
“Some riders even manage to balance trees on the back.
“If you’ve never seen the run before, it’s quite a sight, and great fun.
“People tell me they’ve been wetting themselves laughing at some of the get ups.”
The first toy run took place in 1985, when a small group of Christian riders decided to combine their faith and their passion for motorbikes to help children in need.
That year 18 motorcyclists met at the Pheasant Pub in Winnersh, and took gifts to children at the now demolished Battle Hospital, in Reading.
This December, as many as 2000 bikers may travel from Shinfield to Wokingham.
“They join us from Bognor, Bournemouth, Wales, and Germany,” said Mr Denmead.
“Last year, we even had a guy who came over from Melbourne, Australia, specially to take part.”
Following the same route each year, the Reading Toy Run sets off from Wood consulting and engineering, formerly AMEC Foster Wheeler.
The costumed riders take Lower Earley Way to the Winnersh Roundabout, and follow the Reading Road to Wokingham.
The glittering procession ends at Barnardo’s High Close School off Wiltshire Road, where all the gifts are delivered.
The event is an important fundraiser for the school, which provides day and residential places for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs.
As well as providing gifts for youngsters, members of the public can also support High Close School, Barnardo’s projects around the country, and other borough charities, via a JustGiving page on the event website.
Funds raised help to buy vital equipment for the school, and provide for children there and elsewhere, who often have very little.
“It’s important to all the bikers that kids can have a good Christmas, wherever they are,” said Mr Denmead.
“We were delighted that last year so many toys and gifts were donated, that we were able to give some to a group of ladies in Tilehurst who were packing shoe box presents for children in Ukraine.
“We’d love to be able to do the same again this year.
“In the meantime, our thanks go to everyone involved, whether riding, supporting, or working behind the scenes.”
This year’s Reading Toy Run will take place on Sunday, December 3, starting at 1pm.
Roads are usually closed for no more than an hour or so until the procession has passed.
Organisers request that pedestrians kindly stay back from the road, and asks them not to high five any of the bikers.
“Please don’t – the last thing we want is for someone to get hurt,” said Mr Denmead.
To contribute, people can take new unwrapped gifts to Wood PLC in Shinfield Park prior to the run, or to High Close School on December 3.
A JustGiving page can also be found on the event website.
For more information, contact: readingtoyrun@outlook.com, visit: www.readingtoyrun.blogspot.com or search for the event Facebook page.
For Barnardo’s and High Close School, log onto: www.barnardos.org.uk
