Boundary 500 Motorcycle Santa Ride to take place this weekend

A much-loved annual Santa Ride which attracts crowds of up to 100,000 people will take place this weekend.

Boundary 500 Motorcycle Club has held the 22-mile Santa Ride for 17 years and is returning on Saturday, November 30. The Santa ride raises funds for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice which benefits to the tune of around £30,000 a year from the event.

The ride will start at 11.30am in Thornaby and see bikers travel under police escort through Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar before finishing at Kirkleatham Hall. Founder of the event, Brian Laverick, is busy preparing for the event and said in total it has raised around £405,000 for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice.

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He said: "This year we will have 160 motorcycles with the riders and pillions dressed up in Christmassy attire bringing smiles to all those who come out to see us. There will be a vintage fire engine at the front of the procession and another at the rear. There will also be an open top double decker bus carrying local VIP's.

"The event has proved so popular that we have now raised in excess of £405,000 for the hospice as well as making people aware of the services that the hospice provides."

It follows uncertainty whether the ride would go ahead this summer. As reported, organisers said they were stunned when Cleveland Police said it would be "unable to assist" with an escort "this year and going forward".

Organisers previously said they felt they had no choice but to cancel the event. However a week later, following "very productive discussions" with Cleveland Police they said they feel able to progress with plans for the 2024 Santa ride.

At the time, Cleveland Police told Teesside Live they will continue to support the organisers by providing advice and guidance on how they can best stage a safe and successful event. However, they stressed responsibility for public safety and compliance with relevant legislation rests with organisers of events, owners of the land on which it takes place, and the local authority if the event takes place on a road.

To donate to the fundraiser click here.

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