Star Bikers Toy Run: ride for a record on 22 November

If you've ever wanted to be part of something a bit bigger than your usual Sunday ride, the Star Bikers Toy Run is about to hand you the chance. This year it's the 48th running of the event, and it's set to be one of the most ambitious yet: the ride departs from Stoke-on-Trent's bet365 Stadium on Sunday 22 November at 11am, and the organisers have set their sights on breaking a Guinness World Record for the most attendees at a Toy Run. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just fancy a look, it's a family-friendly day that's easy to get involved with.

The basics are straightforward. The ride sets off from the bet365 Stadium on Stanley Matthews Way, ST4 4EG, at 11am, and runs through until 3pm, so it's a good idea to turn up from 10am to get registered and settled in. Riders are asked for a suggested donation of £2 each and an unwrapped toy, which gets collected at the registration point at the stadium. If you're not riding but still want to chip in, spectators can donate toys and money along the route, and riders who are happy to collect as they go are encouraged to bring a backpack. The full route is laid out on the charity's website, so you can plan your day around it.

What makes the day work is the sheer scale of it. Hundreds of motorcyclists descend on Stoke from all over the place — not just across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, but from Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Derby and even over from Wales. It's a real cross-section of the biking community, from custom builds to everyday commuters, all riding for the same cause. And the cause is a local one: the money raised goes to families struggling with poverty in Stoke-on-Trent, children's charities, children's services run by local authorities and children's wards at local hospitals, including the Royal Stoke.

The ride itself is only half the story, though. Once the bikes have finished, the party moves to King's Hall in Stoke for the After-Party, which is a bit of an event in its own right. There are around 50 stalls from independent businesses, local makers, charities and motorcycle clubs selling homemade crafts, artwork, custom clothing, baked goods and motorcycle gear, with hot food on hand to keep everyone going. There are also the Best Bike and Best Scooter awards, hosted by DJ Bloke, so there's a bit of friendly competition to round things off.

It's worth remembering that this isn't a new fixture on the calendar. The Star Bikers Charity has been doing this for over 48 years, so the Toy Run has become a proper Stoke tradition, and this year's record attempt gives it an extra bit of weight. Whether you're turning up on two wheels to ride the route or just heading down to the stadium to watch the send-off and drop off a toy, it's a straightforward way to spend a Sunday while doing something genuinely useful for families and children across the city. The full details, including the route, are on the charity's website, so it's worth a quick look before you commit.