Christmas is just round the corner and to kick-start December an estimated 300 bikers take to the road in the 2012 Wirral Toy Run.The Toy Run is a part of the Wirral Egg Run, which is a registered charity, and raises money for sick and disabled children.
The ride left New Brighton at 11am, and finished at the Children’s Ward in Arrowe Park Hospital.
The charity rides were started 30 years ago by a group called Empress Motorcycle Club. They decided to ride out and take some Easter eggs to Arrowe Park Hospital and it escalated from there. It has happened every year since and the Egg Run had an estimated 10,000 bikes last year.
Graham Heron, one of the organisers and press officer of the charity, told JMU Journalism: “Today we will raise on average between £600 – £700, but the actual charity itself averages between £25,000 and £30,000 a year.
“People come a long to donate money for the charity and then they’ll also donate toys which we’ll drop off at the Children’s Ward at Arrowe Park Hospital.”
Mr. Heron added: “This is an open road event, so we do have to give way to oncoming traffic, so it’s a little more sporadic than the Egg Run, but because it’s a smaller unit it’s more manageable. Historically it’s been a safe run every year.”
One of the riders, 27-year-old Sean Jones, told JMU Journalism: “I enjoy these kind of events, it gives me a chance to help children and be a part of a large motorcycle rally. I rode in the Egg Run earlier this year, and since then I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the charity rides.“
Joe Ewer, 20, told JMU Journalism: “It’s not often I pull my bike out during the winter but it’s for a good cause, this was my first charity ride, I missed the egg run this year because of a few issues, but hope to attend all the rallies whilst I’m on the Wirral.”
If you want to get involved or take part, the next ride will be the Egg Run which takes place on 17th March 2013.
Anyone who is licensed to ride a motorcycle can attend and all participants must be wearing a road legal crash helmet. Bikes must also be fully insured and it is advised that people wear appropriate protective clothing. Quad bikes are welcome, as long as they are fully licensed and legal for road use, but these are the only four-wheel vehicles that can take part.
For more information visit: https://www.wirraleggrun.co.uk/