MEMBERS of the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group have had a busy few weeks travelling around the region handing out cheques for money they have raised over the last few months.

The group dropped off a cheque for £25,079.70 at Middlesbrough-based children’s hospice Zoe’s Place from last year’s Santa Ride – taking the total raised for the charity to almost £250,000 since 2006.

Brian Laverick, who set up the group, said: “The public gather in their thousands to watch the spectacle which sees the riders travel under police escort from Thornaby town centre passing through Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar before finishing up at Kirkleatham Hall where the Police Band and Guisborough Ladies Choir entertained the crowds.

“This year we are pleased to present the Hospice with a cheque for £25,079.70. The two people who collected the most amount of sponsorship were each award a £100 gift voucher.”

Members also handed over a cheque for more than £5,000 to the Great North Air Ambulance from other fundraising events held throughout the year.

The next Motorcycle Santa Ride takes place on Saturday, November 25 and the entry forms will be available at the end of August.