A MOTORCYCLIST who was injured during last year’s charity Easter egg run has waved off over 1,000 bikers at this year’s event.

Craig Watkinson came off his bike as the crowds entered Darlington last year to deliver chocolate eggs to youngsters at the children’s ward in the hospital.

He ended up becoming a patient there himself and now has titanium pins in his shoulder.

Mr Watkinson, 45, from Catterick said: “We had just come over the A1 and I remember seeing a bike in front of me. It started to slow, I started to slow. The next second I know I was on the ground in lots of pain.

“After that I can just remember how great the bikers were being.”

On Easter Sunday, the crowds headed off from Durham, once again destined for Darlington, before turning around and heading back to the University Hospital of North Durham to deliver eggs there.

Mr Watkinson, a plant operator, said: “I was very chuffed when the organiser messaged me and asked if I wanted to start everyone off.

“I cannot ride anymore, but it is nice to see all the lads. Everyone sticks together, but that is bikers for you.”

Five-year-old Jake Middleton, from Bowburn, who parents are both bikers, led the procession from the Tesco supermarket car park at 10am.

His mother, Sharon Middleton, said: “He has got his own little bike. He loves getting dressed up and he loves the atmosphere here.

“He was a bit nervous about leading everyone out because the roar of the bikes can be a bit frightening but we have been through it with him and he has just been excited about it.”

Durham Police had to pull out of organising the event in 2014 but Hartlepool biker Tony Hudspith has organised successful runs ever since.

Mr Hudspith, 44, said: “People come in novelty helmets, dressed as Muppets and the Cookie Monster and we often get the children to come off the wards to see them and the bikes. The smiles on their faces are amazing.

“We have a got a good team who pull out all of the stops and they help me massively. They are little gems.”

“People line the streets and cheer us on and that encourages us to keep going.”