The ever-popular Reading Toy Run, which went through Wokingham on Sunday, will feature on BBC One this Christmas time.
Gogglebox star turned TV presenter, the Revd Kate Bottley, was one of the many riders on the annual event which sees bikers from across the country descend on the borough to give presents to Barnado’s.
Mrs Bottley tweeted about her experience, saying she was “beyond excited”.
After yesterday’s ride on a Goldwing for @BBCSoP I got a photo with an X wing #RebelAlliance #JoyToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/RImDVUI1Sd
— Kate Bottley (@revkatebottley) 5 December 2016
This year’s Toy Run was the 31st, and saw attendance up as thousands lined Wokingham’s streets to watch the procession of colourful and festively decorated bikes ride past.
there were 1,742 bikes with a further 500 passengers riding pillion including Wokingham town mayor, Cllr Gwynneth Hewetson.
Last year, there were 1,565 riders and 476 pillion passengers.
And this year’s figure compares with the 2014 run, which saw 1,735 participants enter their way into the Guinness Book of Records for the largest ever toy run.
The event took place in bright sunshine, but cold weather from 2pm on Sunday, December 4 from the Foster Wheelers building in Shinfield.
Bikers travelled along Lower Earley Way, then turned right at the Showcase cinema roundabout in Winnersh, travelling up Reading Road and into Wokingham town centre.
Order your souvenir pictures here
Their destination was High Close School, where they gave toys, books and games to Barnardo’s. Each of the presents will be given to children who would otherwise do without.
Jane and Ben Spiller, who organise the event, said that it had been a “great day”.
They told The Wokingham Paper: “There was lLovely weather, if a bit cold, and there were plenty of fantastic decorated bikes and riders.”
The purpose of the event is to give toys to High Close School, which then distributes them across the Barnardo’s network.
The Spillers said: “We have been into the hall [where donations were left] and it is covered in toys.
“Most bikers brought way more than one – it is impossible to say how many were donated.
“We had many who contacted us who were not on the ride and they contributed toys as well.
“Barnardo’s was out in the crowds collecting and made over £1,500. We also collected donations for the school and collected about the same.
“How generous everyone was.”
The couple also wanted to thank the team of people who donated their time to make the Toy Run happen.
“How hard everyone worked who were part of its organisation. A huge thank you to them.”
