Stars to ride out on city’s charity toy run

4:25pm Tuesday 26th February 2008

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DO YOU like to have music on in the kitchen while preparing meals? If the answer was yes, then you've got another reason for joining this year's toy run to Southampton and Poole general hospitals.

Because this time a famous musician and three famous chefs will be leading the pack on March 16.

This is no publicity stunt either, they share our love of riding and are very busy gents, which is why the date for the run has been brought forward from Easter to accommodate their schedules.

James Martin, always a staunch supporter of the ride, will be joined at the front of the pack by musician Paul Young and both of TV's Hairy Bikers' - or Dave Myers and Simon King to friends. So you see we'll have a famous musician and three equally famous chefs.

The 2008 toy run is open to all riders of all types of bikes and this year there are a couple of changes.

There will be a charge of £5 per bike to prevent riders going along for the ride without contributing to the gifts for the youngsters.

Sounds a little mean, but the run was always intended to provide toys and gifts that will cheer up children staying in hospital.

That we have a blast riding around, enjoying ourselves, is secondary - a fiver isn't much and we get to go home after handing over the toys, the youngsters get to go back on the wards!

Another change is for practical and health reasons: no chocolate, no fluffy toys, only hard' gifts that can be treated to remove any infections - I'm sure we all know what happens when infections get passed around a ward.

Apart from that, just enjoy yourselves in some very pleasant company.

I've been on rides with James and Paul and found them to be great guys, and having seen the Hairy' ones at events, know they can be good company and down to earth.

The ride will leave Dockgate 20 Harley-Davidson and Buell, who have organised the event along with HOG (Harley Owners Group) at 11am and head first to Southampton General Hospital and then on to Poole.

Time of arrival at Poole General Hospital is expected (depending on weather conditions) to be 2pm. When the last gifts have been handed over, riders will then be able to disperse to Poole Quay. I'll repeat that everybody is welcome to come along for the ride, but please ride responsibly, make sure your fuel tank is topped up and pay attention to the HOG marshals who will ensure a safe ride for all. If you can't make it but want to donate a gift, drop it into Dockgate 20.