Bury St Edmunds’ Mad Cow bikers give disabled children an early Christmas

Twenty bikers rode a circuit around Bury St Edmunds town centre on Sunday, spreading festive cheer as they went.

Members of the Bury and District Motorcycle Club met at More Moto in Barton Road before riding out, led by John Dunning, on their annual ‘toy run’ to disability charity Scope in Shakers Lane.

With some dressed in Santa suits, and at least one pillion passenger elf, the group - nicknamed the Mad Cows - made quite a spectacle as it proceeded through the town joined by Mick Smith who played Christmas carols on his Harley Davidson.

Biker Andy Turner said: “People heard the bikes, then they heard the carols and most stopped and waved. The elderly really seemed to get in the spirit of it.”

When the group arrived at Scope, they were treated to refreshments as they gave donations of toys to the youngsters enjoying ‘short breaks’ with the service.

Andy said: “There were some who had never been to Scope before so they had a tour of the facilities but, as I was Father Christmas, I spent some time messing about with the kids and trying to talk to them - they smile, that’s the main thing.”

A ‘whip-round’ among members also raised £520 which will likely pay for a replacement trampoline and new sensory toys.

Lynne Breedon, Scope’s short breaks service manager, said: “All the young people thoroughly enjoy it when the Mad Cow bikers visit the service. Each year they give the young people a very real sense of being part of the community. We feel incredibly humbled by the local communities’ generosity in donating toys to the bikers.

“The Toy Run and the generosity of Bury make it possible to fulfil their wishes and aspirations. On behalf of the young people and the staff at Scope short breaks, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone from the Mad Cow bikers and all who donated for making this time of year extra special.”