It didn't look good when Rachel and I were the first to arrive at 08:45. Thankfully we were soon joined by Allan, with a couple of others on his tail including Phil and Fiona. Once again Phil did PMC proud with his bike and his outfit, although he didn't go to the extremes of last year with the bike. Unfortunately his was the only bike to be done up and as he was exempt from winning, Rachel in her elf outfit won the prize for “Best Dressed Bike”. Doesn't do much for Rachel's reputation that does it!!

Anyway, a grand total of seven bikes, (Come on PMC - 200 members and only seven turn up!), set off for Belle Vue. and we were among the first to arrive, but the car park soon started to fill up with an estimated 300-400 bikes and scooters. 

We set off pretty much on time, but that's when it started to go pear-shaped. I'd been told that the police weren't supporting the ride and as such it was illegal for anyone to block junctions or go through red lights. I'd also been told that as Deansgate was full of roadworks the route would head down Hyde Road, along Brunswick Street, right onto Oxford Road, down to the Palace and left onto Whitworth Street to get onto Chester Road. I checked this out as a friend of mine was riding on L plates and someone had warned him about going onto the Mancunian Way.

How surprised was I when, after having to stop at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and Ardwick Green roundabout, we were all filtered onto the Mancunian Way. This proved to be a bit hairy as car drivers were trying to filter from the slip roads and others were trying to exit from the Mancunian Way with their usual attitude to bikers.

Again, on Chester Road and for the rest of the route, we had to endure stopping at several sets of lights, but the worst was yet to come. None of the roundabouts at the Trafford Centre were marshalled to point us in the right direction, and I was convinced we should have gone off at an earlier roundabout. Had the “ride” not been so disjointed and we'd all been able to stick together I wouldn't have had any qualms, but we were in a group of just 20 or so bikes. Thankfully we were going in the right direction, but one poor guy on a scooter was almost totalled by a car driver who just cut across in front of him as we were heading into the Trafford Centre. Thankfully he managed to save himself and the car driver suffered the wrath of the other riders around him.

But that shouldn't have been allowed or able to happen in the first place!

I don't know whether it's the fault of the Police, the Sally Army, or those supposed to be marshalling, or all three, but rest assured, if this is the standard to be expected for next year's Toy Run, I for one am not going to risk life and limb doing it. Good cause or not!

I just hope things can be improved, because it is a worthwhile event and a lot of people put a lot of hard work and time into organising it, (who deserve thanking), and a lot more people get pleasure in taking part as well as those watching it.

Rob D.

It's such a pity the day turned out as it did.

For once the organisation at the start point could not be faulted, we were guided into our own designated parking areas, registration was quick and simple and this year it didn't take 20 minutes to get a bacon buttie and a brew.

When we arrived we rode in past a collection of the local dibble, 3 cars and 4 bikes I think. The question has to be asked if they were never intending on leading the marshalling of this event, why the hell did they turn up only to disappear half an hour before the start.

The rumours circulating were that they demanded £1000 to do it or they were off, this is a charity event for underprivaliged kids for christs sake, they don't raise a fortune from events like this and every penny counts.

The person who made this decision should hang his head in shame because I can guarentee at least half the people who had to endure the absolute shambles of this year won't be attending next year and the only ones to suffer will be the ones it's in aid of.

Gary R. 

From reading the above I am glad I couldn't go.  It clashed with the morning after a long standing social engagment, I was in no fit state to ride, I have been on the last 5 or 6 Toy Runs and marshalled at three and enjoyed them all.  I doubt if I would have enjoyed this one and if things don't change I won't go again.  From what I read the Police attitude stinks and seems to be very anti charity and very anti bike, very different from every other Toy Run.  A letter to the Chief Constable asking for clarification might be helpful

David G

Just had this message passed on by the sally army:

Dear Bikers

On behalf of everyone at The Salvation Army Central North Division may I say a very sincere word of thanks  to all who participated in the 2009 Toy Run Appeal.  It was a magnificent display of around 600 bikers arriving at the Trafford Centre with  your generous gifts of toys and financial donations  enabling children across the region to have a happier Christmas.

The toys are currently being allocated to many Salvation Army centres across the North West and the total monies raised to date is in the region of £3,000.

Our heartfelt thanks to all who made the day possible and successful.

Kind regards and may your own Christmas be happy and peaceful.

Yvonne Field