On your bike
Every December, hundreds of motorcyclists swap their usual riding gear for Santa suits and elves’ costumes before setting off from Lee Mill on a rather special journey.
Behind the festive spectacle is a cause that means a great deal to many families across Plymouth and the South West.
It's definitely a sight to put a smile on people's faces. But for Jerry Rogers, the organiser of Santas On A Bike, there's a much bigger reason for getting everyone together.
He's been involved since 2017, raising thousands of pounds for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).
To understand why it matters so much, Jerry invited us along to meet Kerry, whose daughter Luna is supported by Little Harbour, the children's hospice in St Austell.
Although CHSW also has Little Bridge House in North Devon and Charlton Farm in North Somerset, it's Little Harbour in St Austell that provides hospice care for children and families in Plymouth and the surrounding area.
In fact, around a third of the families supported there come from this part of the region.
Kerry and Luna have been receiving support from Little Harbour since September 2023, following some particularly difficult years for their family - as Jerry found out when he met up with them at their home in Plymouth.
Home from home
Luna has complex needs, and after the sad loss of Luna’s father, mum Kerry found herself needing additional support.
A referral through Luna's school led them to Little Harbour, and it has made a considerable difference to both their lives.
Kerry describes the hospice as a home from home, where the welcome is immediate and the atmosphere is anything but clinical.
"It's just a big hug when you get there, really," she tells Jerry.
During their stays, Luna enjoys a whole range of activities, including the sensory room, music therapy, messy play and time in the gardens. There's always something to keep her occupied, with staff on hand to provide as much of her care as needed.
For Kerry, the opportunity to step back from the constant responsibilities of caring for her daughter is just as important.
She can enjoy a proper rest, knowing Luna’s being looked after, and spend time with her simply as her mum - rather than having to concentrate on all the practicalities of her care.
When Jerry asked what life would be like without Little Harbour, Kerry didn't have to think for long. She’d be considerably more tired, with far fewer opportunities to rest or talk to someone when things became overwhelming, she tells him.
It's a reminder that a children's hospice supports an entire family, not just the child.
The cost of caring
Jerry's next chat is with Annabel Roberts, area fundraiser for CHSW, who explains the scale of the organisation's work.
Little Harbour supports around 120–130 families at any one time, alongside bereaved families.
Across its three hospices, CHSW supports more than 500 families throughout the South West, each with their own individual needs.
It's a considerable undertaking, and certainly not an inexpensive one.
Annabel explains that each hospice needs more than £4 million every year to keep running. While some funding comes from government, the remainder has to be raised through businesses, community groups, donations and gifts in wills.
That's where events like Santas on A Bike become so important. They bring communities together to raise money, but they also help spread the word about a service that not everybody knows exists.
No-brainer
For Jerry, giving up a bit of time to organise the ride, or spending a December morning on a motorcycle dressed as Santa, is a fairly straightforward decision.
“Most motorcyclists are happy to have an excuse to get their bikes out, enjoy a coffee along the way and meet up with fellow enthusiasts,’ he says.
Add the opportunity to support such an important cause and it’s a “no-brainer”.
The annual ride attracts hundreds of participants, with plenty of people turning out along the route to wave, cheer and show their support.
This year's gathering will once again start at Lee Mill Industrial Estate, with riders meeting from 11am before setting off on their journey. And you don't need to own a motorcycle to be part of it. Simply turning out to show your support and making a donation is every bit as welcome.
Jerry’s keen to stress that every penny donated goes to Children's Hospice South West. Nothing is taken from those donations.
There are plenty of reasons to smile when hundreds of Santas and elves come riding through town. But perhaps the biggest reason is knowing that, somewhere along the way, those smiles are helping families like Kerry and Luna's.
And if you've ever wondered what a children's hospice is really like, Kerry probably summed it up better than anyone could.
“A big hug”.
That's a pretty good reason to get involved.
Watch the video
Useful Links
Santas On A Bike - Children’s Hospice South West
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