Festive cyclists dressed as Father Christmas take to streets of London

Hundreds of skaters and cyclists took to the streets of London immediately, donning Santa outfits to supply some Christmas cheer whereas elevating cash for good causes.

London Santa Skate returned on Saturday afternoon, and noticed avid skaters tackle a two-hour festive skate from Wellington Arch, at Hyde Park Corner, to the Star Of Kings, York Way, touring across the metropolis from 2pm till 4pm.

Participants shared their pleasure concerning the occasion, commenting that it helps to supply a way of ‘neighborhood’ and makes it really feel as if Christmas has properly and actually begun.

Isaac Harvey, the president of Wheels and Wheelchairs – a gaggle of wheelchair customers and skaters who skate collectively, instructed PA: ‘This is among the largest skates in London and I actually do stay up for it yearly as a result of it actually brings the neighborhood collectively and it is nice that I’m in a position to be part of that, although I’m a wheelchair person.’

The 28-year-old, who travelled to the occasion from east London, added: ‘It’s nice enjoyable and it is also wonderful attending to see individuals of London attending to see us skate round the most well-liked components of London.

BMX Life in the meantime organised a concurrent occasion, Santa Cruise 9, to lift cash for the Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation (ECHO), setting off from Leake Street, Lambeth at 11am and driving across the capital till 4pm.

It is described on the web site as ‘an epic day biking round London metropolis, with a whole bunch of riders in festive fancy costume’. 

Meanwhile, last-minute Christmas buyers introduced Oxford Circus to a standstill this night, with enormous crowds pictured within the coronary heart of London on one of many busiest weekends of the yr.

Somewhat of a veteran with regards to the Santa skates, Mr Harvey mentioned this will likely be his fourth one, however his first sporting a Christmas jumper – which featured a reindeer and vibrant lights.

‘Usually I’m dressed as an elf, however this yr I wished to go for a Christmas jumper which lights up – and so does my hat,’ he added.

Jonathan Chen, who can also be a part of Wheels and Wheelchairs, added he has participated in ‘many’ Santa skates and has been ‘wanting ahead’ to taking part in the newest one.

‘The spotlight of the skate is simply the inclusivity and the happiness – everyone seems to be simply so excited to be there,’ the 39-year-old, who lives in north-east London and wore a Santa hat whereas chatting with PA, mentioned.

‘To me, Christmas does not actually kick off till the Santa skate, so it is undoubtedly actually vital for me.’

Songs together with Jingle Bell Rock and Wonderful Christmastime have been performed because the skaters conglomerated and made strikes down the streets of London, as onlookers cheered, filmed and smiled on the group.

Some of the standout non-Santa outfits included one worn by a lady who appeared to rework herself right into a lit-up Christmas tree.

The skate was organised by LondonSkate and London Friday Night Skate, with cash raised from ticket gross sales going in direction of ‘holding London’s free road skates on the street’.

BMX Life’s occasion ran from 11am till 2pm, touring by London in a sponsored cycle in help of charity.

Attendees have been pictured with musical horns and in an array of festive outfits.

One was pictured in a full Grinch costume driving by the capital.

BMX Life have organised their occasion for the final eight years to assist ECHO and have thus far raised £6,282 on their Just Giving web page.

According to the organisers, the numbers for the occasion have elevated every year from 200 riders of their first yr to 300 in yr 2, rising to 800 final yr.

‘Santa Cruise is a Charity Event with the primary goal of accumulating as a lot for ECHO as attainable. So far BMX Life have raised over £135,000 for Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation by its members generosity,’ they shared on Facebook.

‘Most of this has been raised by holding raffles with prizes which were donated by BMX Life members and corporations that they work for.’

BMX Life mentioned this yr’s costume code was: ‘Santa Outfit-Elf-Snowman-Christmas Tree-Reindeer.’

Oxford Circus in London was packed this night as crowds descended on the town centre for some last-minute Christmas buying. 

Major shops are understood to be mounting half-price gross sales in a determined bid to shift their unsold inventory earlier than Christmas.

With the price of residing disaster nonetheless placing strain on households, Britons are anticipated to spend £3bn much less this yr than they did in 2022.

And an Office for National Statistics research discovered that just about half of households try to make ends meet by forking out much less money on presents and meals. 

In response, main retailers together with House of Fraser and Sports Direct are providing reductions of no less than 50 per cent.

John Lewis – additionally on Oxford Street – can also be selling half-price items and style.