The Wirral Toy Run took place on 9th December this year. The weather was awful the day before but was bright and clear, if a little chilly, for the Run. We counted around 200 riders, many dressed in festive outfits gathered at New Brighton promenade.

The Run left New Brighton at 12 as planned, led by our Chief Marshal Dave Elliott. We followed the normal Egg Run route until we came out of West Kirby and then we went down Black Horse Hill and on to Frankby where many were seen giving a nod or a wave to Simon Owen, who is buried there. There was a really great reception at Arrowe Park with the promised tea/coffee and mince pies appreciated by all.

Heaps of presents were presented to two Very Important Persons, Sue Adams and Caroline Smith. These two ladies are the unsung heroes of the Toy and Egg Runs. When we deliver eggs or toys, it is Sue and Caroline who take them and organise their distribution. They told us that they do not give all of the toys out over Christmas, but hold some back for birthdays throughout the year and for special bravery awards when a child has undergone a particularly difficult procedure. We’ll be following up with Sue and Caroline over Christmas to see how the toys make their way to the children who receive them. Bear in mind that, last year, they had thousands of eggs to distribute.

And so to the big questions?
How many toys and how much money did we raise? We are not sure at the moment about the number of toys because there was just a great big pile of them – you can see the bags in the pictures. When we visit over Christmas, we’ll try to get an accurate figure. As for the money raised, that came to £567.27 Which we will present to Jelly Bean in the new year.

Thanks to all who joined in the Toy Run, hope to see you al at the Egg Run. Watch out for our report from the Hospital about the distribution of the toys, and remember it's all for the kids.