Toy Run bikers give festive cheer

Organisers hoped to beat the 2005 fundraising total

A huge procession of bikers have travelled across Greater Manchester on a charity run for sick children.

About 1,500 bikers gathered in Salford on Saturday for the annual Toy Run to deliver almost 2,000 gifts and raise money for children's hospices.

Bikers rode about 10 miles from a pub in Cadishead with the presents for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

North West Bikers, which organises the annual event, hoped to beat the £20,000 raised during the 2005 Toy Run.

'Ordinary blokes'

Organiser Steve Ratcliffe said: "It's a misconception that bikers are rogues and I think this goes to prove we are not all like that.

"We are just ordinary blokes in the street - and women of course - who think it's a good idea."

The 11th annual Toy Run was also attended by Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard, who helped hand out the presents at the children's hospital.

Money raised by the event was being split between Derian House and Francis House children's hospices.