Salvation Army Motorcycle Toy Run 2009
The annual Salvation Army Toy Run will take place again on the 7th November commencing from the Showcase Cinema Hyde Road (M12 5AL) and terminating at the Trafford Centre. There will be a breakfast from 9:00 am with assembly at 11:00 am and leave at 11:05 am. A presentation of toys and a short carol service will take place at the Trafford Centre on arrival. All the toys donated are used to help brighten up the Christmas of needy children across the North West. Donations are used to buy new gifts for childern who might otherwise not receive a toy this year. For full details have a chat with our very own Jim Cretney who has been involved with providing marshals for this event for some time.
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barry | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
The only time most women can get their man to go willingly to the trafford centre just before Christmas!!
We went to our first toy run last year and really enjoyed it, the huge ammount of bikes that turn out is amazing, lots of people dressed up, even Santa on a trike pulling a sled. Must remember to put tinsel in the topbox for when we get to the mustering point this year!
Lesley and Barry
dave and toni | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
where is breakfast??? coming to the toy run – is it swallow hotel or manchester?? let me know please – ta ever so
barry | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
Hi Dave…and Toni, last year the breakfast was at the meeting point at the Sally army in Manchester, cooked by the Sally Army and for free, no plates though but blooming good. You will love it, its great fun!!
JIM CRETNEY | Jul 23, 2009 | Reply
So everyone knows breakfast is organised by the Salvation Army, they will have their mobile canteen in the showcase cinema car park serving from 0900 to approx 1100 Plaese note Drinks & butties are free, but this year there will be a collection box for the Toy Run Donations money fund so please feel free to put any spare £5 notes or £2 or £1 pound coins you have into collection box cheers Jimmy C
Steve Hands | Sep 13, 2009 | Reply
Can anyone tell me the route that will be taken? is it via ‘A’ roads or motorway? My daughter would like to turn my wing into Rudolph, and dress “suitably” for the occasion. regards Steve H
Lesley | Sep 15, 2009 | Reply
Hi Steve we meet here .. Showcase Cinema Hyde Road (M12 5AL)we all make our own way to the car park there and then travel to the mustering point together, from the car park its ‘A’ roads all the way, at the finish at the trafford center we all make our own way home.. so if your “Rudolph” fixings are strong you could travel there on the motorway, many did, or we should have plenty of time at the muster point to put the relevent attire on then. Its a lovely day although some of the sports bikes can be a bit scary the way they drive, not at all sedate like the stately Goldwing!
Biggles and Ginger | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
are we gonna meet somewhere and all go down together?? would that be an idea
Gary & Joyce | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Look forward to meeting you all again and being on the bike but will be at our meeting first on the 27th Sept
Gary & Joyce
Frank Goodman | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
We always meet at TJ Fridays, M60, jct 17, TJ Friadys is on the right as you leave the roundabout going towards Prestwich. Meet 9.15 to leave at 9.30 to meet up with everyone else on Hyde Road, BellVue.
It’s always a good day,and fabulous atmosphere, don’t forget your toys or money donations to go to the local childrens hospitals ect.
And good bacon butties!
dave and toni | Oct 7, 2009 | Reply
will meet you at TJ’s no probs – by then should have all the bits and bobs on trike lets make it another good day for a worthy cause.
Crezz | Oct 17, 2009 | Reply
Andrea and I will be coming along to this as well. Do we need to wrap the presents first or just bring them?
barry | Oct 18, 2009 | Reply
Hello crez you can wrap your prezzies in pink or blue depends what gender you buy for or just give a donation in at the muster point.
dont forget to bring tinsel and silly stuff to put on your bike for the ride its great fun even in november no point bothering if the bike stays clean but lets hope the rain stays away this year.
Fancy dress an option
Barry & Lesley
Bob Summers | Nov 1, 2009 | Reply
Does this mean the event is now off or just that there is no police support?
Barry and Lesley | Nov 1, 2009 | Reply
So it isnt just us in Lancashire that had problems with the police helping at events, although this saddens me its nice to know that it isnt just the light parade that has been affected this year… is someone new in charge at the top that is trying to put in new rules I wonder or have all the forces been affected by cost cutting??
Shame as when you speak to the motorcycle cops themselves they do enjoy these events
Judy Goodman | Nov 2, 2009 | Reply
If they don’t get the police back there will be a big safety issue because alot of people who always go to this event won’t know about the police withdrawing, they will turn up on the day and just set off without the police outriders and do their own thing, it would be dangerous. But we all want to carry on for the sake of the kids who benefit. Could the Salvation Army put their side forward or have they already done that?
I can’t believe it’s come to this, it’s so sad.
Come on please, someone in authority get involved NOW and save the day.
Barry and Lesley | Nov 2, 2009 | Reply
A positive note here….
I was surfing the net as they say to try and find any more news about what is happening at weekend with the run when I came across another forum talking about it, it as a general bike site not a winger one, on it they had a link to here, the question was asked what was the guy who linked to here doing on a goldwing site, his answer was…
I heard about the toy run and googled it and this was the best site with the information
so 10 out of 10 for our site and
Hi guys.. go on you know you want a wing
John Mc | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Hi Jim,
I met you at the Goldwing Club meet a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to come along to support the Toy run, but I am working, is there anywhere I can bring a Toy to to help.
John Mcloughlin, Goldwing GL1000
Barry and Lesley | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
Has anyone been in touch with either Derek that sent the email or Jim? I have searched the web and cant find any news articles relating to this at all and I would have thought by now if there was still problems with the police etc that it would have been at least a article in the local press about it
derek jackson | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
hi guys. Derek here again. Ive been on the phone to the salvation army this morning and this afternoon and this is the situation. we don’t have any police at all, they have completely watered down the route, not going down deansgate or anywhere in the city centre. they want us to go over the Mancunian way which i said was gonna break the law as we have learners on L plates, they said that a wing will take them a different route to avoid the Mancunian way. apparently Steve berry will be with us again this year. i voiced my opinion strongly and said if this was gay pride or Muslim rights they would be all over it like a cheap suit, the sally army don’t want to be brought into disrepute which i understand. this is the only country in the world that doesn’t look after its own but takes care of everyone else. i am not very happy with this and i will following this up on Saturday at the showcase cinemas but if anyone would like to contact me feel free, here are my details,
hotmail
com or 07821 455222.
dj506
i suggest if anyone has any friends in the media with clout get on to them and tell them whats going on.
i also think we should go thru town anyway, the cops and the city council say they don’t want us to take the deansgate route because of the current sewer works going on there and in the interests of safety but in fact the Mancunian is a bigger safety issue. we raised £5000 last year, going thru the city centre raises the profile for what we are doing, the Mancunian way and no police backing is the bigger problem, maybe i am looking at this all wrong, maybe the cops want us to have an accident then they can ban it altogether, this really is a nanny state.
what is this country coming to. this really gets my back up.
Derek.
derek jackson | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
derek here again. sorry guys i’m not on a wing but if you want to have a chat with me on saturday at the showcase i will be on a silver 51 plate yamaha xjr 1300,i should be getting there around 9.15 to 9.30 ish with my lady friend pillion.
i googled it like that other guy and came to your wing site originaly when i posted my first letter for you,
cheers, derek.
Linda | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Hi guys,
This is my first year of doing this run. Due to the inclement weather at the moment, does this run still go ahead if this weather continues?
Judy Goodman | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Hi everyone.
I’ve just spoken to Jim Cretney about the safety of having no police outriders. He’s no longer in charge of marshalling but assures me that everything is under control. They are having static marshalls at key points along the new route and getting bikes riding out in groups. It will be the same as they marshalled for RTTW, which was completely safe.
So be there with your toys or donations and enjoy the tea and butties and of course the atmosphere.
See you all there.
P.S. Jim has ordered sunshine for the day.
Crezz | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Are we still meeting at TGI Fridays tomorrow morning?
Bob Summers | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Definitely. The weather forecast looks OK, no rain at least. Should be a good day, must put the bke away after this though, its due for a good service. See you all tomorrow.
Bob Summers | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Linda
Weather looks OK for Saturday, suggest you get wrapped up and enjoy the run. Its quite a good day out.
Barry and Lesley | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Sorry Barry and I wont be there, he will only get home around lunch time tomorrow. Ride safe all of you and have fun x
roger fogg | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Hi folks, Sorry but can’t make it to the toy run as my boss has other ideas.( ie work ) Hope you have a great day and have a bacon butty for me.
Graham & Jacci | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Hi all, sorry we will not make the Toy run tomorrow, Appleyards have the Trike at this time. Hope you all have a good day.
Crezz | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Nice to see everyone today, what a good day we had and even the weather ended up being sunny.
See you all soon.
Bob Summers | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Jackie and me got a bit wet arriving at the meet point but after that the sun shone and we had good day. Jim Cretney worked hard Marshalling the bikes and wasn’t it nice of him to give us our own Goldwing parking area. Great to see so many Goldwings attending this run. Thanks Jim. Didn’t seem to be as many bikes this year as last or is it just me, maybe the weather put a few people off in the early morning. I would be interested to hear how many bikes did turn up and how much money was raised for the Salvation Army.
See you all at the next club meeting
Peter | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
HELP!! Hi guys I am in need of your support, I am the guy who leads all the charity events or most of them in the North West area, I have the Ex-Police bike with instructor on it (I am DSA instructor and Medic)those of you who attended the Toy Run may have seen me lead the bikes out towards Manchester, as soon as we reached the first roundabout the two Police Officers that had been chatting and eating and drinking free of charge for two hours before the event were waiting in the Petrol station, they beckoned me to pull into the station and it was quite obvious I was leading the group but they said they didn’t care!!! they booked me and gave me a summons they also threatened to impound my bike and wanted me to take off my Hi-viz jacket!! now those who know me will be aware I have always worked with the Police and been told to use my lights while they stopped traffic and I put Marshals on junctions, I have always kept speeds to around 20MPH with two way radio with to my rear gunner with camera. So where’s the consistancy? all Police escorts I have done were glad of the help and support so why not this one?? is there a hidden agenda going on here because I offer my services to charity free? if I get points on my licence I lose my Job! so I am please asking anyone for any constructive advice.
Peter
Jim Cretney | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Hi to everyone, many thanks to all of you who turned up for the toy run you were all brill, we had North Wales Pennine Yorkshire Lancs & Lakes and of course Gold Wings North West, now what went wrong the marshalls on the day it was changed three times until we went with out any at all this was due to fact that a Police officer came over and said he would handle it, and then said at 10.55 lets just get everyone on the road he then led the parade and that was basicly it. I will give a better explanation at our next meeting Again many thanks Jimmy
dave and toni | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
we had a good day meeting loads of fellow bikers for a common cause – despite the rain everybody in good spirits roll on next year and better weather
Peter | Nov 8, 2009 | Reply
Hi Jim,
Re your last memo unfortunately apart from being helped on to the main road by the Police there was no other help forthcoming due to “lack of Police manpower” although the 3 Policecars and 2 motorcycle riders managed to enjoy 2 hours of Sal’Army tea and sandwiches.
At the first roundabout they waited in the petrol station and pulled in the lead bike(me) and summons me for what I do at many charity events normally with the Police blessing, I am led to believe there was a hidden agenda by the Police and I hope to tell you more in the near future.
Re the Marshals many backed away because there was no Police support.
Peter
Judy Goodman | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi all,
Sorry to say in the end we could’nt make it, as Frank now works nights, on a normal shift we would have been there but friday night they sent him to south wales, it was a long night for him and he did’nt get home till after 9 and he was shattered, I was dissapointed but hey, that’s life, work gets in the way of enjoying ourselves. Glad you all enjoyed it.
derek jackson | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
hi peter (dsa instructor)
hotmail
com
contact me on dj506
derek.
Jim Cretney | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi Peter will you please forward me your phone number or call me on 0161 336 1318 or mob 07845872415 would like to talk about the problems we had cheers Jimmy
Barry and Lesley | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
email received from the Salvation Army….
Dear Bikers
On behalf of everyone at The Salvation Army Central North Division may I say a very sincere word of thanks to all who participated in the 2009 Toy Run Appeal. It was a magnificent display of around 600 bikers arriving at the Trafford Centre with your generous gifts of toys and financial donations enabling children across the region to have a happier Christmas.
The toys are currently being allocated to many Salvation Army centres across the North West and the total monies raised to date is in the region of £3,000.
Our heartfelt thanks to all who made the day possible and successful.
Kind regards and may your own Christmas be happy and peaceful.
Yvonne Field
mitch | Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Hi Pete, I find it unlikely that the cps will take the case on as there are serious legal issues which will lead to a collapse of the case. Firstly plead not guilty to impersonating a police officer. You have not dressed in a police uniform nor told anyone you are a police officer.
I have seen your bike, (it’s ex police); Before police bikes can be sold to the general public they have to be de/policed, (sirens,lights,police emblems etc etc)
As to dayglo jackets (even with instructor on them) so what ? Highway code rule 86 states ‘make yourself as visible as possible from the side as well as the front and rear. So in a nutshell there you are. As I have marshaled these events I find it hard to believe the police would react in such a manner. Regards, mitch.
Mark | Nov 24, 2010 | Reply
Hi, its a message for Peter who was stopped by the police. I run a team of motorbike marshals on the Wirral. We do road, cycle and running events etc and I was on the committee as chief marshal on the Wirral Egg run that somebody mentioned on a previous post. Would be very interested to speak with you regards your brush with the law. Might have some work for you too. Please get in touch my address is info (at symbol) bikemarshals DOT co DOT uk same goes for any other motorbike marshals around the North West please contact me. We could possibly help with next years toy run. Cheers Mark