A Leicestershire man known as 'Buddy The Elf' and his festive family are set to spread Christmas cheer and raise crucial funds for a local hospice with their annual charity bicycle ride. Neil and his relatives will don full Christmas character costumes and pedal through several communities, continuing a tradition that began during the pandemic.
The Festive Route and Charity Mission
The group will embark on their two-day journey on Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21. Their first day will see them visit the villages of Enderby, Narborough, Littlethorpe, Cosby, Whetstone, and Blaby. On the second day, they will set off from the LOROS Hospice building in Leicester, travelling to Groby and finishing their festive tour in Ratby.
This year, the riders have chosen to support LOROS Hospice. A spokesperson for the hospice expressed profound gratitude, stating: "We are so incredibly grateful to Neil, his family, and their wonderful team of Santa and friends for choosing to support LOROS this Christmas. At a time when we are facing significant financial challenges, the kindness of our supporters means the world to us."
From Lockdown Idea to Thriving Tradition
The heartwarming initiative started in 2020 as a Covid-safe way for children to see Santa. "We didn't stop to chat but it meant children got that opportunity to see Santa and wave to us," Neil explained. What began as a simple gesture of festive spirit quickly evolved into a major fundraising effort after a meaningful encounter.
"During that first year, we met a little boy fighting cancer. We happened to start outside his house," Neil recalled. The following year, the ride raised money for the boy's charity, 'Cohen's Fight'. In a remarkable coincidence, as the family finished their fundraising ride, the boy rang the bell to signify the end of his treatment.
Subsequently, the family supported Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, a cause close to their hearts as their cousin's daughter, Isla-Grace Clarke, received care there at birth. Each year they have surpassed their previous fundraising totals, raising thousands of pounds.
A Growing Band of Christmas Cyclists
The event has grown significantly from its humble beginnings. "Our group was initially made up of four family members, but now we also have extra elves on the road and one back at Elf HQ dealing with social media and the live satellite tracker," Neil said. The mischievous Grinch also makes a regular appearance on the ride, much to the delight of onlookers.
The team will be collecting cash donations along their route, and supporters can also contribute online via their JustGiving page. Detailed information, including the exact routes, a live satellite tracker on the night, and photos and videos, will be available on their dedicated Facebook group.
This festive spectacle demonstrates the powerful community spirit in Leicestershire, turning a simple Christmas bike ride into a lifeline for vital local hospice care.
