Wokingham

An annual Christmas toy run that has supported local charities in the Thames Valley for more than two decades was this year celebrating 20 years of giving by delivering presents to schoolchildren in Wokingham.

The Reading Toy Run started with humble beginnings in 1985 when 18 bikers first helped spread some Christmas cheer by delivering presents to children at a local hospital.

But on Sunday, a phenomenal 2,000 charitable bikers will be delivering gifts to children at Barnardo's High Close School in Wokingham, which has seen deliveries of presents from the bikers for the last 16 years.

High Close School, Wokingham is a residential special school for boys and girls who have a statement of special educational needs.

The school's principal, Sandy Paterson, said: "Each and every year this event gets bigger and better, the pupils are excited about it for a full 12 months before it happens.

"It is a truly amazing sight with all the bikes decked out with decorations and many dressed as Santa. The bikes range from 1920's antique bikes to the latest models.

"They are exceptionally generous and we receive thousand's of toys for children within Barnardo's."

The bikers will meet at 1pm at Foster Wheeler (formerly Shire Hall), next to Junction 11 on the M4 in Reading and leave with a police escort to take them to Wokingham when they are expected to arrive at 2.45pm.

Community Newswire ~ Social Bikers Wokingham ~ 2/12/05