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What exactly is an “Egg run” or a “Toy Run”?
The Basics
Well put into simple terms, it is where a group of bikers (or motorcycle riders to be correct) gather at an arranged meeting point, then ride on a designated route on their bikes in the form of a parade. The riders will generally collect gifts of Toys, Easter eggs and other gifts from members of the public - depending on the event type - at the roadside along the way, and then the event organisers gather all the donated gifts & in turn then hand them over to social services who distribute them to local charity groups or hospitals, schools etc. Also at the end of the run the bikers meet at a final destination where there is plenty of fun & games where everyone is invited & some other events may take place which also try to raise more money for the charity.
There are plenty of other similar events taking place all over the UK but in Stoke on Trent we hold proud claim to be the organisers of the 1st Toy & Egg run’s ever held in the UK & others have followed our lead. We recommend that if you have never been to an event of this type that you come to the Stoke based event 1st, simply on the fact that we have been doing these events longer than anyone else & it has been publicly commented that our knowledge & experience at organising these events shows.
The Criteria
The Stoke Egg & Toy runs format works like this. If you own a bike or even if you don’t you can get involved, either taking the role as a part of the run where you ride in the parade on your motorcycle along with about 4000 other people on bikes or if you don't ride a bike you can show your support at the roadside or after the event at the social gathering at the end.
The "run" is basically a parade of thousands of motorbikes ridden around the city of Stoke on Trent of which the riders & their passengers are all helping to raise money for local children's charity groups which we support & have a fun day out at the same time. Although the run is there to make money for charity, what we also need most are donations of Easter Eggs at Easter & Toys for Christmas time. This is the main criteria of the runs. The cash is really just a bonus as what we are about is collecting gifts. All we ask for is a suggested donation.
The run starts at the start point at the start time stated prior to the run. We advice anyone attending the run to arrive at least 15 minutes before the run leaves. If the start time is 11am, then that is the time the parade takes to the road following the City of Stoke on Trent's Lord Mayor (who sometimes goes along in his car or on the back of a bike) & a Police vehicle to lead the way. Sometimes even the Lord Mayor of neighbouring Newcastle under Lyme has also attended as well also the odd TV or bike race celebrity. The pace of the parade passes at a moderate slow speed at about 15 MPH. There are 2 reasons for this... firstly so moped riders don't get lost along the way & secondly the parade is much easier to control as further down the long line of riders gaps may develop which would be considered dangerous if car drivers or even pedestrians decide to get in the way. There are also other police officers and marshal crews stopping traffic to allow the parade to pass & the event is very well covered by marshal crews & patrols at each road junction & along the path of the route to ensure maximum safety.
As bike riders, you simply ride your motorcycle around the city on a pre-arranged route as a part of the parade where there will be members of the public & thousands of other bikes who will be lining the roads carrying gifts to donate at the end of the run. Some of which riders can stop to collect along the way if they wish. Members of the public will usually always make themselves noticeable if they are wishing to pass gifts to the riders by stretching out their arms with their gift in their hands. If you wish you can also dress for the occasion - sometimes Santa has been known to make numerous appearances on the Toy run along with the odd elf, Snowman or even Mr Blobby. Chickens & even Easter bunnies often venture from hibernation to take part in the egg run & some even decorate their bikes with tinsel or fairy lights. If you are planning on stopping to collect gifts from members of the public we advise the use of back-packs for riders or if you have top box or panniers you make them available to carry the gifts you collect.. Make sure your bike is safe before taking to the roads otherwise police officers or marshals may prevent you from taking part.
As members of the public, find out where the route is heading & if you wish you can (also as other members of the public can) watch & applaud the riders as they pass. If you wish to make a cash donation to the charity we advise you to deliver it in person or pop your donation in the post. If you wish for a rider to collect a donated gift at the roadside simply stand in a visual stance to the riders by holding your arm out stretched with your gift in a carrier back. A motorcyclist will soon stop & collect it from you. If the rider has a backpack or panniers, ensure the rider or pillion has safely collected the gift from you before they set off, the last thing we want is your gift to not reach its destination.
Everybody is welcome (riders or non riders) to attend the social gathering at the end of the event at the Kings Hall, Which the doors are open to the public from the moment the riders leave the start point & closes when the last person leaves. Entry is FREE to the hall but we do ask for a suggested donation of £1 per person (or motorcycle) & a gift of an Easter egg or a toy depending on the run. Other gifts can be donated if you wish. Money for our charity is also raised in other events we hold & merchandise sales.
Many local factories & offices are now collecting Easter eggs & gifts for the appeal & are donating them on the day. Why not get your workmates involved & start a similar idea in your workplace?
Sound good? why not come along & try it for yourself. It is one experience you have to try for yourself to get to know what really goes on & we recommend you should try this experience at least once in your life.
Despite what you may think of motorcycling enthusiasts or motorcyclists, this event does go to show that motorcyclists are not all bad, or are all violent or nasty people but instead the majority are friendly, likeable, professional people who go out & work for a living just like yourselves but who also happily share an active interest in motorcycling. Hopefully this event has put to rest some of the bad publicity surrounding motorcyclists & Bikers that has been created over the years.
The "Star Bikers" Egg & Toy runs (as we are also known) are now a vital part of the local city heritage & are as famous in & out of the city as the North Staffordshire Oatcake or the Pottery industry.
There are other events taking place all over the country, not just for Egg & Toy runs but other charity runs or events. Here are a few non Egg & Toy run based charity runs, we know of that have asked us for help promoting their events.
- www.thesheenerun.com - Memorial charity run celebrating the life of Barry Sheene -
proceeds from the event go to CLIC, Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood, Patron of this Charity is ex motorcycle racer & BBC commentator, Steve Parish
- www.jumbogb.org - The Jumbo Run Great Britain - it's an organisation who’s aim is to provide an annual outing to a suitable venue for children with disabilities & special needs. The only charity motorcycle event we know of that is older than our own. Jumbo started in 1961 (our runs started in 1978)
- NABD - the National Association for Bikers with a Disabilty are an organisation who hold many charity & fundraising events throughout the UK & raise awareness for motorcycle enthusiasts & bike riders who are physically impared.
- Potteries Petfood cavalcade - An event similar to our own held locally, Very often mistaken as a Star bikers event. The “Pet food run” as it is commonly called is organised by ex Star Biker’s member Sid Rogers, raising funds for local animal charity groups such as the Stoke on Trent branch of Cats Protection.
- Motorcycle Aid Snowball - raising funds for the Asian Tsunami disaster.
If you can’t make it to the Stoke on Trent Egg & Toy run events (perhaps you stumbled across this site) why not see if there is a run in your local area
International Egg & Toy runs we know of.:-
if you organise or attend an Egg run or Toy run event anywhere outside of the UK & would like to see it listed here, please let us know and we will link your event website.
We would appreciate a mention in return.
Other UK based Toy & Egg run Charity events we know of.:-
Sadly over the last couple of years or so, many UK based toy & Egg runs are being cancelled due to financial reasons being imposed on them & a lack of Police support.
if you organise or attend an Egg run or Toy run event anywhere in the UK & would like to see it listed here, please let us know and we will link your event website.
We would appreciate a mention in return.
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