The day started on a promising note with weather that was fairly dry and clear. Down at the Pied Bull people were assembling... Chris Biggs had agreed to be Santa for the second time and to help him when things got busy an assistant was drafted in as his right hand elf. Filling the pointy boots was Chris "Dutchy" Holland, in a fantastic costume made by his good lady, Helen. Tank had added some left-over Christmas decorations to his outfit, particluarly a fetching row of bells taped around the front. I think they stayed put all day!
Most people were there for the traditional photo line-up before the 10:30 a.m. departure, with a few bikes literally tagging on as we left Farningham. Tom Burnett went on ahead to position himself on a bridge over the A2 for the purpose of taking some pictures. There was a good turn-out of 33 bikes (including many classic Triumphs and a BSA) plus a trike. This created quite a presence as we bowled round the M25 and up the A2 before turning off at Danson Park. Chris may have been gritting his teeth with the chill wind as he perched in Tank's sidecar but you couldn't see under the big white beard and he kept the circulation going by waving like a maniac the whole time.
We rolled through Blackfen, right at the Woodman and then into the back roads until we reached The Green at Falconwood. By this time it was clear that the temperature was not going to rise much, so there were many grateful people accepting a nice hot cuppa when we went inside. After Santa had handed out the presents and had his picture taken by staff and bikers alike, it was off to the next stop.
This entailed returning to the Woodman and then heading off along Bexley road to Eltham where we turned off the High Street to go to Wensley Close. There, many of the children, who have special needs, were waiting outside for us (suitably wrapped up of course) but we were quite happy to follow them back in to the warm while Santa dispensed presents. Before we moved on again there was just time for Tank to take a young lad called Craig for a quick ride round the car park in his outfit.
We then negotiated the rest of Eltham High Street, raising many a smile and a wave from pedestrians and drivers, and progressed onto the Well Hall roundabout. At that point a quick diversion was made to pass by Dutchy's house, where his little girl Elizabeth was waiting for a surprise visit from Santa. Whether Santa in a sidecar is more surprising than your Dad in green tights is debatable, but you get the general idea.
After that brief pause it was back onto the South Circular for a short way and then down Broad Walk to our last stop. Here the last of the presents were given out and the last of the tea was consumed, as well as a fine selection of cakes, mince pies, crisps and other nibbles generously provided by the staff. The owner of the trike, a large and friendly chap by the name of Shirley from the Tsunami Riders, was giving short spins up and down the road to some enthusiastic girls who braved the chill air for the thrill of three wheels... and no seat belts!
It was on arriving at this last home that I was reliably informed I had acquired a screw in my back tyre. The relevant details of this will be covered elsewhere as you may remember I had the tyres treated with Ultraseal a few months ago, but suffice it to say that Caroline and I decided not to go on to the Anchor And Hope pub but to head off for the short ride home while there was still enough air left.
On the following Tuesday Lee and Tracey Sykes were down at the Pied Bull to let everybody know how much had been raised. Overall the donations amounted to around £960. Each of the three homes received £100 worth of presents (all bought for each child specifically) plus a cheque for £100. After some incidental expenses relating to costumes etc, the remaining money was divided between the Duchenne Family Support Group and the Lions Hospice for Children. Chris Biggs and Edwin Seabrook-Smith respectively were on hand at the Pied Bull to receive a cheque each for £160.
As you might imagine, the club is greatly indebted to the fundraising and organisational work done by Lee and Tracey, who put a great deal of time and energy into cajoling the contributions out of people and also ensuring that they were used as effectively as possible.