Hemel pub and Dacorum Motorcycle Riders team up to deliver gifts to hospital patients this Christmas

A group of motorcycle riders from Dacorum is appealing for the public's help to spread some festive cheer

Dacorum Motorcycyle Riders and Monks Inn, in Hemel Hempstead, are working together to deliver Christmas gifts to patients in hospital.

The group had originally planned to deliver to Watford General Hospital but after Watford moved into Tier 3 they had to change their plans, they will now be meeting the Raise charity team at Hemel Hempstead Hospital.

They are collecting unwrapped gifts from the pub, in The Square, and the riders will travel - dressed in Santa suits - from Monks Inn at 12.30pm on Saturday, December 19, to deliver the presents.

Jon Andrews, from Dacorum Motorcycle Riders, is organising the collection with Kirsty Derham from Monks Inn.

He said: "Raise A Smile, the hospital's charity campaign, are collecting donations for staff and patients, and we have also organised to collect donations and take them to the hospital.

"We have teamed up with Monks Inn pub and we are collecting gifts for people who will be in hospital at Christmas.

"If anyone wants to donate to the hospital they can leave it there, unwrapped.

"We are asking for things that they will be able to use while in hospital like toys for children, and health care items for adults, and colouring books, for children and adults!

"I want to get as many gifts as possible for Raise A Smile.

"We will be wearing Santa suits when we deliver the gifts, we are not allowed to go in to deliver them because of the pandemic, but we will be meeting the charity team at the hospital to give them the gifts.

"We have had to change the route because Watford moved into Tier 3, so we will be riding around Hemel and our last stop will be at Hemel Hempstead Hospital to drop off gifts.

"Gavin King has organised a route for us (pictured), if anyone wants to donate gifts, please wave and stop us on route."

Donated gifts must be unwrapped and can be dropped off at the Monks Inn.

Kirsty, the manager of Monks Inn, added: "I think the riders are amazing. I have worked here for two years and my boss Clint is outstanding, normally he would dress up as Santa and deliver presents to poorly children, but obviously he can't this year.

"So working with Dacorum Mortorcycle Riders gives him the chance to still be involved.

"This group are great and what they are doing is amazing, and as a mum of four, I know how much these gifts will mean to people who are having to spend Christmas in hospital.

"It's great to be involved with this, and we have the barbers next door advertising about the drop off as well.

"All the latest updates and information is available on the Monks Inn facebook page, which is regularly updated."