SCORES of santas and some elves rumbled into Carlisle city centre to mark the annual launch of the Toy Appeal

It was a roaring show of support for Mission Christmas run by the CFM's Cash 4 Kids, in partnership with the News & Star.

More than 100 motorcyclists from across the county took part to raise awareness of the appeal in a bid to ensure every child in need wakes up with a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Last year Mission Christmas celebrated a record-breaking year, which saw 7,888 children given a gift to wake up with on Christmas Day.

Sara Oldham, charity executive for CFM, said: "It's amazing. It makes me want to cry. I feel so emotional.

"It just gets bigger and bigger. Everybody makes their bikes more Christmassy every year. It brings a smile because they are all smiling."

One of the motorcyclists, known as Grim, of Leviathan MCC, said: "It started with about 30 to 40 bikes. We have been doing it for about six or seven years.

"We are very happy to support all local causes."

The bikers are brought together through the Cumbria Coalition of Motorcycle Clubs but David Turner, also of Levithan MCC, said it doesn't take a lot to get people on board.

"All we do is get it out on various sites and they appear. There is not a great deal of effort to get them here. Everybody just turns up because they care."

The motorcyclists made their way from CFM in Kingstown to the city centre on Saturday where shoppers were stopped in their tracks by the unexpected display.

Phil Bell, 49, of Carlisle, said: "The sound was fantastic. It's something different and you just have to embrace it. It was a great sight and the noise was superb."

He added that it was great to see the motorcyclists out in force for such a worthy cause at Christmas time.

Where you can donate

CARLISLE AREA

  • News & Star, Newspaper House, Dalston Road
  • Grahams News, Kingstown Road, Kingstown,
  • J. Balchin & Son, Central Avenue
  • Morrisons, Kingstown Road
  • Notmans Newsagents, Stonegarth, Morton
  • Stanwix Newsagents, Scotland Road, Stanwix
  • Brampton Post Office, Front Street, Brampton
  • Julie Vevers, Swan Street, Longtown

COCKERMOUTH AREA

  • Sainsburys, Station Road

WHITEHAVEN AREA

  • Tesco, North Shore Road

WORKINGTON AREA

  • Tesco, New Bridge Road, Workington
  • Morrisons, Derwent Drive, Workington

Collections continue until December 14

Text a cash donation by sending CFM to 70808. Find out more at www.newsandstar.co.uk and www.cfmradio.co.uk/mission