Santa's on a Bike returns on 5 December with £17,000 already raised

Santa’s on a Bike will return on Saturday 5 December, when hundreds of motorcyclists dressed as Father Christmas are expected to ride from Douglas to Castletown to raise money for Rebecca House Children’s Hospice, Isle of Man Today reported.

The ride is organised each year by the telecommunications company plan.com. Bikers will meet outside the firm’s Douglas offices at 5 Victoria Street and leave at 10:00. They will travel south by way of the Fairy Bridge and are due to arrive at Rebecca House at about lunchtime. The Isle of Man Constabulary will support the event.

There is no charge to take part. Organisers are asking riders to sign up beforehand so they can judge how many people to expect.

A golf day at Ramsey Golf Club earlier this month has already raised £17,012.50 towards this year’s total, according to Isle of Man Today. Upwards of 20 island businesses supported it by playing, sponsoring holes or giving prizes.

Since the first ride in 2018, the event has generated over £367,000 for Rebecca House. Last year’s ride raised £78,816, and organisers want to beat that figure this year.

Fiona Hatton, chief executive of Hospice Isle of Man, which runs Rebecca House, called the ride “a firm favourite of ours”. She thanked the public for their support and plan.com for choosing Rebecca House as the event’s charity. She added that the children at Rebecca House are always involved on the day.