Long Eaton start point for Police Christmas Toy Run

Officers from Derbyshire Constabulary are to hold another toy run in aid of charity with the route beginning in Erewash.

The fifth of its kind, the event on Saturday 14th December aims to provide Christmas joy for the local charity, Safe and Sound who seeks to raise awareness and education around exploitation and provide support and recovery to vulnerable young people and their families who suffer it.

This year's Toy Run will once again involve UpRight bikers leading a convoy of bikes from Long Eaton to the head offices of Safe & Sound in Darley Abbey Mill but officers are appealing for help and support from the community.

As with previous years, officers are asking for donations of gifts, which are greatly appreciated and directly help local vulnerable children. The majority of children and young people that Safe & Sound support are from 8 years old through to 18 years and are more often girls than boys.

The charity runs crafting activities with the children and young people that they support, so any craft materials or cookie decorating kits are particularly being welcomed. For the older children, gift vouchers for activities such as the cinema or bowling are also appreciated.

Those making donations are kindly asked to wrap the items, and write a label describing what the gift is so that it can be paired with the perfect child, and bring the gifts to the meeting point in Long Eaton so that they can be taken on the toy run.

Bikers are also being encouraged to attend to take part in the convoy with the plan to get as many bikes and bikers as possible and wearing fancy dress, including Santas, elves or fairies, in order to draw attention to the convoy and the work of Safe and Sound.

The convoy will leave Andrew Paul Upholstery on Fields Farm Road, Long Eaton at 12noon on December 14th, although bikers are expected to begin arriving from 10:00am. The ride, with a police escort, will run to the Safe & Sound Head Office, in Darley Abbey, Derby.

You can read more about the great work that Safe & Sound do by visiting their website.