A GROUP of trikers will drive decorated trikes around Basingstoke to spread the Christmas cheer.
Joan MacGregor, with her son Jamie Thorpe and her brother Stuart, will be riding their decorated trikes dressed as Mrs Claus and her elves.
The group started spreading the Christmas cheer two years ago, after being inspired by a Reading Toy Run and have adorned their trikes with fairy lights, tinsel and plushies every Christmas since.
Joan MacGregor said: “Everywhere we go people smile and cheer,
READ MORE: 'You'll Never Run Alone' - Men running 212.6m to Anfield in honour of friend's wife
“Seeing the grin on kids’ faces, that’s what it’s all about.”
Parents can email Joan and request a drive-by, a meet and greet, a picture on a trike, or even a ride down the street.
The group do it all for free but are organising a charity donation if people would like to donate.
She said: “It’s no trouble, we do it out of the goodness of our hearts.”
Joan understands that some children can’t go and see Santa due to nerves, so is happy to wave to the children out of the window if they’re nervous but still want to get involved in the Christmas spirit.
She is also happy to tell children they’re on the nice list or deliver a message from Santa, as long as parents email to pre-arrange what they would like to be said.
The trikes have a metal Santa post box where children can post a letter to Santa, if parents email Joan she is happy to email/post the letter back.
Jamie Thorpe said when they are around Basingstoke, they see a lot of families walking past, with kids often desperate to see the trikes.
Joan urged: “Please come up and say hi if you see us about.”
Joan’s brother Stuart, 59, has learning difficulties and still believes in Santa, this is a delight for him too and he will be riding on the back of Joan’s trike dressed as either an elf or a reindeer.
Before they started triking, Jamie would drive about wearing a Santa suit during the holidays and he loved how excited kids would be to see Santa.
Christmas isn’t the only time the group gets in the holiday spirit, they also dress the trikes up for Easter and Remembrance day and do weddings, proms and even school drop-offs.
With the trikes the group have also taken part in toy runs and charity runs for Barnardo’s and Spotlight UK.
The trikes are by Rewaco, a German manufacturer, and one of them has a Harley Davidson engine.
Joan had never been on a trike until 3 years ago, her son Jamie inspired her to try one and she loved it.
They rode 9000 miles on the trikes last year, including driving to Cornwall and Wales for a holiday.
Email Triker_mrs_clause@yahoo.com to contact Joan and organise a Christmas visit.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here