CHILDREN at the Great Western Hospital are in for a treat this year after big-hearted Swindon residents dug deep to help a town motorcycle club raise more than £4,000 to put on a Christmas they will remember.

Pinkerton’s Motorcycle Club will be making their 24th annual toy run to the hospital in a spectacular convoy – lead by Father Christmas himself, who will be taking time-out from his Christmas Eve preparations.

They will be making their 24th annual toy run to the hospital in a spectacular convoy – lead by Father Christmas himself, who will be taking time-out from his Christmas Eve preparations – when they leave Swindon Rugby Club on Saturday, December 12 heading for the hospital.

With the support of a number of town businesses they are now facing the fun-filled task of selecting a number of toys to take to the children who are facing the festive season on the wards.

They gave their fundraising efforts a final push over the weekend when they hit the town centre in festive costumes to drum up some last minute donations, which saw town centre shoppers donate more than £1,500 to the kitty.

Pinkerton’s Motorcycle Club secretary Mandy Strickland said: “Pinkerton’s Motorcycle Club has raised £4,266.66 to support the Children’s Ward at the Great Western Hospital and would like to say thank you to Axis Signs, Chips Away, Thompsons Solicitors, regulars at the Brown Jack in Wroughton, Tesco Metro, The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (The Buffs), UNITE members at BMW, Honda, Royal Mail and Thamesdown Transport for their support.

“And not forgetting the good people of Swindon who kindly donated £1,757.66 at our Town Centre collection.”

Mandy said there would be a number of points along the planned convoy route for people to wave them on as they journeyed to the Great Western Hospital.

She said: “The 24th annual Toy Run will leave the Swindon Rugby Club in Greenbridge Lane at 12 noon, for a ride through the streets of Swindon, arriving at the Great Western Hospital at approximately 12.45pm. All bikers and trikers are welcome to come along and join the ride.

“Spectators can get the best view of Santa leading the biker procession along Cricklade Road and Queens Drive.”

For more details visit www.pinkertons.co.uk.