As seen issue 242 of 100% Biker 
27th Golden Lions Childrens Trust Toy Run
Its well known, that bikers like to dress up (though thankfully the days of bikers in dresses seemed to have eased off) and hence Christmas Toy Runs seem to be a big favourite of many mixing charity with a chance to show off.
It is also a good way to round off a seasons riding, meeting friends and all for a good cause. In my case I have now attended the Golden Lions Toy run for about 10 years, its for a great cause and for local children and a comfortable start time of 10.30 on usually the first Sunday in December. Though I have never quite worked out how best to strap decorations and gifts on my bike its always a Heath Robinson affair especially when attached in the dark..
Its also a great atmosphere as everyone seems to be happy with lots of local clubs turning up at the meeting point at The Motorcycle Workshop at Bolney. A cool workshop with a growing reputation for building neat café racers where tea and biscuits were available.
This year the numbers seemed up, but this may be down to the warm morning (why did I keep liner in riding trousers) and the promise of a good days riding after a week of shall we say excessive dampness. This may have kept a few of the warmer fancy dress outfits at bay but there were still enough Santa’s, elves and tinsel to know this was a toy run. And the bikes ranged from Mopeds, BSA Bantams, to Harleys, Quads and Trikes a great eclectic mix.
A scenic route through the Sussex country side brings us to our destination of the Gatwick Manor Hotel, where there is more tea and mince pies, forget Santa this is the fuel of bikers and where the happy folk of The Golden Lions Trust collect, sort and eventually wrap the gifts. Gatwick being the original home of the Trust a charity dedicated to providing hope, help and happiness to children with special needs and disadvantaged young people.
More light banter, promises of meeting soon and then folk steadily disperse with that good feeling of a decent ride, and having done something good.
