Romford to Canning Town bike ride for Christmas toy appeal

The ride – on November 30 – delivered new toys for the Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal to Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA).

The charity runs the annual initiative in partnership with the Newham Recorder.

The bikers have been supporting the appeal for many years.

Organiser John Pryke said more than 45 riders, some dressed in festive attire and with tinsel-decorated bikes, started their run at Triumph East London headquarters in London Road, Romford.

Motorcyclists gather with festive spirit and gifts for the Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal (Image: Colin Grainger) Triumph also collected toys at its base to support the event and delivered them in two car loads.

John said: “The appeal is so important to young people in Newham and we have been happy to lend our support.

“We always get a great welcome wherever we are on the journeys and the appeal sums up how the community cares for one another.”

After touring Essex and east London, collecting toys and more bikers along the way, they arrived at AAA’s headquarters at the Terence Brown Arc in The Park in Hermit Road, Canning Town.

AAA chair of trustees Christine Bowden told the bikers the need was greater than ever this year for the appeal.

She said: “We have deprivation really hitting young people hard and your incredible efforts have been simply magnificent.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Twin sisters Layla and Salma dropped off their third lot of gifts (Image: Colin Grainger)

The ride is organised with help from the Riders Who Want To Make A Difference group.

Gifts and donations are now coming in for the appeal, which aims to provide new toys to more than 3,000 youngsters, with a target of more than 15,000 toys.

Brothers Neo Naha and brother Rico, who have supported AAA’s Christmas and Easter campaigns for the last four years, dropped in to provide treats as part of the Treats For Kids initiative (Image: Colin Grainger)

There is an Amazon gift page for Newham Recorder readers and a JustGiving Page for all.

Donations can be made in person at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park, Canning Town, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 1pm Saturdays.

The appeal aims to provide each child referred a Christmas stocking of new gifts specific to their age, needs, abilities and, wherever possible, their most wished-for gift to open on Christmas morning.