Motorcyclists Rev Up Festive Spirit at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital

CHILDREN and young people at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) received a festive visit this week as two motorcyclist groups delivered a sack of Christmas gifts, worth over £1,500.

The Edinburgh & District Advanced Motorcyclists (EDAM) and the Peebles Motorcycle Clan (PMC) joined forces to make a 50 strong ride to the children’s hospital in the capital for their annual Xmas Toy and Santa Run, in conjunction with Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).

This is the second year that the PMC has teamed up with EDAM on the Xmas Toy and Santa Run, donating over £2,000 worth of gifts last year. The donations included a 40” widescreen TV which is now used in a waiting room to improve the experience of children coming to appointments.

ECHC supports and complements the work of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. It aims to allow children to go about their lives uninterrupted by illness. This year the charity is campaigning to make this Christmas extra special by funding and supporting an array of activities and distractions for children and young people just like visits from EDAM and PMC.

Naomi Nicholson, parent of 5-year-old Lexi, said: “Lexi really enjoyed seeing the bikers and Santa. It was the first time she had left her room on the ward as she’s is in isolation.

“Lexi recently received a small bowel, liver and pancreas transplant and even when being home she is under strict isolation from huge crowds so being able to get out and see Santa and the bikers really put a smile back on her face.”

Vicki Watson, Community Fundraiser at ECHC, said: “We try our very hardest to ensure that all the children are home for Christmas, but unfortunately some do require an in hospital stay.

“For these patients, we are incredibly grateful to the motorcyclists for their generosity year on year. Being able to see their faces light up when they receive their gifts and see all of the bikes always makes it a Christmas to remember.

“We exist to ensure children and young people at hospital are a child first and patient second and at Christmas this is especially important. We are campaigning to ensure this Christmas is more magical than ever by asking ‘Santa to stop here one last time’ and thanks to the generosity of those who get involved with us, it allows us to do this.”