Sheffield Children’s Hospital has received £1,280 from a charity auction where Double World Superbike Champion, James Toseland’s 2001 biker leathers were sold to help buy a specialist high-sided bed for Ryegate House, a respite facility for children and young people with neurological conditions.
The specialist designed high-sided bed will provide a safe sleeping environment for children with complex neurological needs when staying overnight at the respite centre.
Caitlin Hallatt, the Senior Marketing and Communications Officer for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, said: “We are hugely grateful for James’ continued support of the Charity and the hospital.
“Ryegate House facilitates for children and young people up to the age of 19 who suffer with complex neuro disabilities, multiple and profound physical and learning difficulties and life-limiting conditions.
“The bed will be used for mobile children creating a safe and stable environment with the ethos ‘home away from home’.”
James has been an avid supporter of Sheffield Children’s Hospital for 19 years. Over the last decade, he has auctioned off several of his superbike leathers to raise money for the hospital.
In total, he has auctioned five of his Superbike sets from his career. All of his leathers have sold for over £1000.
James delivering Easter Eggs to Sheffield Children’s Hospital in his 2001 SWC leathers
In the past, fundraising money has supported the opening of a new Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at the hospital. James sponsored the new Doctor’s Office on this ward and a plaque has been placed outside to commemorate James and the other bikers’ long support for the Children’s Hospital.
This year’s 2001 Superbike leather set was bought by Jason Sole, a fan of James.
“I’m really happy to be the winning bidder as James was one of my first hero’s in racing. I’m also so pleased the money is going to a great cause and hope it’s a big help to the hospital charity”, Jason said.
A huge thank you to @theonejasonsole for his support for the @SheffChildrens auction! They are on their way to you mate! @WorldSBK @DucatiMotor @DucatiUK #auction #leathers #worldsuperbikes #racing pic.twitter.com/6a0eEtXliO
— James Toseland (@JamesMToseland) April 20, 2022
In 2012, James became a Patron for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and has continued to support the organisation.
Alongside the many auctions of biking leathers, James has lead the annual Easter Egg Run in Sheffield for 19 years.
The event takes place on Easter Sunday every year and motorists ride their bikes from Sheffield Police Station to Weston Park to deliver Easter Eggs to the children at the hospital. The 2022 run marked the first event since 2019, due to the pandemic.
This year, nearly 700 bikes took part in the event – almost a record number. James first got involved in the bike run at the height of his Superbike career back in 2003. He was 22-years-old when he started leading this event.
Hundreds of bikers joined the 2022 Easter Egg Run
“To see how it’s grown from 30-40 bikers to nearly 1000, it’s amazing. Over the years of Easter Egg Runs, we have raised in the region of £75,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. If you add on the auction fundraisers and other events we have done over the 19 years, the total will be close to £100,000”, James said.
“This year we got lucky. The weather was lovely, it was 18 degrees and not too cloudy – perfect weather for riding in. Over the 19 years, we haven’t always been as lucky and I’ve done the run in the snow a couple of times.”
As part of the Easter Egg Run and other fundraising activities, James pays visits regularly to the hospital to meet the children.
“After the Easter Egg Run I take the eggs into the hospital and give them out to the children and meet the brave kids.
“It’s not easy seeing very poorly children especially in the intensive care units. But, every time we go in, the hospital let me know where the money raised has been spent”, said James.
“The first time we went, with our money they were able to buy the TV monitors for the ward so the children could do their schooling. You don’t think about these things. These are things we take for granted every day that healthy children are able to do.”
James delivering Easter eggs to Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Sheffield Children’s Hospital is one of three hospitals in the UK that has the facilities and is able to complete specialised procedures on children.
“Sheffield Children’s Hospital is such an important part of the city I grew up in”, James said.
He has two final superbike leather sets left to auction and this will be taking place in the near future.
To donate to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, click here.
