Bikers spread Christmas cheer to Cambridgeshire care homes in parents' memory

A group of Cambridgeshire motorcyclists hope what they're doing to help spread Christmas cheer to care homes could inspire others.

This year marks the seventh annual great mince pie run - organised by the Cambridgeshire Volunteer Bikers (CVB)- where festive treats are delivered by members to care homes across the county.

Andrew Harding, one of the group's founders, helped set up the scheme after a couple of bikers went to visit his mum in a care home.

"My mum was suffering from dementia at the time and she didn't know who I was, but the minute we walked into the care home dressed as Santa Claus, she knew exactly who Santa was," he said.

Both Andrew's late parents lived in a care home.

"You'd start talking to other residents in there and you realise how important it is to interact with folks there that possibly don't get visitors at all," he said.

"The whole idea is not just the treats, but to get people into the care homes and start interacting with the residents."

A core group of at least 12 bikers from around the county were due to take part in today's run, the second of this year's initiative, but this was postponed due to Storm Darragh.

CVB was first set up around seven years ago, and as well as visiting care homes, is preparing to take on its blue light run next weekend.

Bikers will take to the county's roads to visit places such as accident and emergency departments and fire stations as part of the Christmas run.

CVB has also taken part in other activities, like delivering IT equipment for children most in need during the Covid lockdowns, as well as medical and personal protective equipment to hospitals and care homes in East Anglia.

Andrew added: "It would be nice if some folks see the actions we're taking and try to do something a little similar; I think everybody could be doing more."

You can track where CVB are heading on their great mince pie run on their Facebook page.

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