Video and pictures: Shropshire bikers deliver joy to sick youngsters
Leather-clad bikers got into the festive spirit by delivering Christmas presents to sick children.
More than 50 bikers, from the Raven Riders, rode from the Raven Cafe at Prees, near Whitchurch, to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on Saturday.
The toys were bought by the riders and their family and friends and then shared among children on the hospital's children's ward.
Ade Fincher, one of the organisers, said everyone had made a huge effort to get into the Christmas spirit and dress up.
He added: "The Raven Riders started as a group of half a dozen friends with a love of motorbikes a couple of years ago.
"We now have 700 members who meet at the Raven Cafe at Prees every Thursday evening.
"Throughout the year we do charity events for the Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes. Last week we had a Christmas party where we raised £850 for the blood bikes."
He added: "Twice a year we do something for the children's unit at Telford hospital.
"At Easter we delivered more than 100 Easter eggs.
"Now we have delivered more than 200 presents to the children's unit.
"The atmosphere is always amazing and to see the children's faces light up is really worth the ride from Prees – even though it was raining hard.
"We had over 50 bikes and six cars in convoy. When we got to the hospital we had a warm welcome from the staff. Thank you to everyone who took part."
Mr Fincher said he now hopes to turn the event into an annual occasion. "This is the first year we have done it and from now on we hope it will be a yearly event," he said.
