Motorcyclists deliver Christmas presents to sick children

A GROUP of about six motorcyclists drove from Henley to deliver Christmas toy donations to sick children and their families in Oxford.

The bikers were some of around 80 who joined the run along the route to Ronald McDonald House on Sunday.

The charity provides accommodation for families with unwell children in the neighbouring John Radcliffe Hospital. The Henley group, which included town councillor David Eggleton, departed at about 9.30am with around four bags of toys that had been collected from donation points set up at the Tesco supermarket, off Reading Road, and Henley town hall.

The group then drove to the H Café in Wallingford where they met up with a larger group of riders and continued on to Oxford. Due to the volume of donations, most of the toys were transported in cars following the ride out.

Cllr Eggleton said: “The ride went brilliantly, it was a nice run out. All the bikes were decorated up with tinsel and there were lots of presents.

“We had about 200 presents in all, which were different types of toys, make-up, games and a few chocolates and things for the staff there over the Christmas period.” A number of Care Bears teddies was donated by the Henley Freemasons.

This was the third year that Cllr Eggleton had taken part in the run. He said that he would like to thank all those who helped with the collection.

He said: “It all goes to a good cause and thank you to Tesco and Henley Town Council for holding the collection points because, without them, we wouldn’t get anything. It’s about working together to help because whether it’s this or any other organisation, if we all work together, we can solve many problems.”

Cllr Eggleton described the biker community as very generous.

He added: “As a whole, they are one of the biggest fundraisers for organisations and charities in England. It’s really outstanding.”