Santa’s got a new sleigh! Hundreds of Father Christmases take part in charity motorbike ride for children's hospice
Nearly 600 bikers dressed up as Santa Claus to raise money for charity
Father Christmas charity events were held all over the world this weekend, including Liverpool and Maine, U.S.
Hundreds of motorcyclists dressed up in festive fancy-dress took part in a charity drive yesterday.
The bikers hit the road dressed up as Santa, elves, and even a Christmas dinner, on rides kitted out with fairy lights, tinsel and Rudolph noses.
Charity Santa’s On A Bike attracted up to 600 riders on 400 vehicles travelling in convoy through Bristol to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West.
Speedy Santas: Nearly 600 Santa Claus took part in the charity motorbike race
The fancy-dress charity ride has been an annual event since 2004 and it is organised by Rolls Royce worker Will Brown.
Speaking to The Bristol Post before the event he said: ‘We know there are people coming from Birmingham, Swindon and Lyme Regis to join in.
‘I think it's because we're the only one in the South West and we are inclusive – we have teenagers with their L-plates and we have pensioners on bikes that are older than me.
Christmas charity: The convoy of Santas ride through Bristol on their way to bring holiday cheer to Children's Hospice South West
Hell's Angel: A female rider dressed as an angel takes the lead of the long line of fellow bikers dressed in red for the children's hospice
Unusual outfits: One man dressed up as a Christmas dinner - complete with Christmas pudding outfit and a turkey on his helmet - and a couple on a purple bike had a Christmas tree attached to their ride
Christmas tradition: Santa's On A Bike has been helping the Children's Hospice South West since 2004
Santa's big sleigh: A rider in full beard with a festive mascot attached to his three-wheel bike
The 52-year-old from Bradley Stoke emphasized the event's focus on helping the children and raising money for the hospice.
‘We ask the hospice who will be there and what presents the children would like, to make sure we get things that are suitable.
‘It's a really emotional day. We've had occasions when we've bought presents on a Monday and the child has died on the Thursday and there is another child there on the Friday.’
Last year the Santa’s On A Bike raised a record £10,000 and hope to match the figure.
Riding Rudolph: One motorbike fan went all the way and turned the bike into Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
Cheerful crowd: Santas, elves, angels and other little helpers all gathered to deliver toys and raise money for charity yesterday in Bristol
Sleigh upgrade: Bet Rudolph was more than pleased about his new ride
Cheerful sight: Onlookers were cheering on the Santas as they travelled through the urban areas of Bristol
Several charity events involving Father Christmas took place this weekend, including the annual Santa Dash in Liverpool earlier today and an American ski resort filling its slopes with revellers in red.
The Santa Dash is a Liverpool Christmas tradition with a twist, as it sees many runners forgo the traditional red suit for a blue one.
The reason for the 'Blue Christmas' is one of loyalty, as supporters of Everton FC refuse to run in the colours of rival football team Liverpool FC.
This year's run, which saw 8,000 people take part, raised money for ITV's Text Santa appeal which is supporting six UK charities, including Age UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
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Dashing: Runners dressed in red (and blue) Father Christmas costumes take part in the annual five kilometer Santa Dash in Liverpool
At a U.S. ski-resort in Maine, nearly 300 skiers and snowboarders in full Santa gear gathered for the 13th annual Santa Sunday.
The event, held at the Sunday River resort in Newry, raises money for the local Rotary Club’s holiday toy drive.
Skiing Santa: Nearly 300 Santas took to the Maine slopes to raise money for a local toy drive
Let it snow: Four Santas with snowboards and skis get ready in the lift at the ski-resort in Newry, Maine
