MotoSanta Clauses make you smile and help. Like every year, they get on their motorcycles and ride through many Polish cities. Some people went to hospitals to bring joy and gifts to sick children. Others – to orphanages.
They could be heard and seen from afar in many cities. Several hundred MotoSanta Clauses rode through the streets of Szczecin on their motorbikes.
– We blocked the entire city. I only hope that the residents will forgive us, because it was positive – reports Sławomir Chałabis from the “Motorcyclists with Big Hearts” group.
They will forgive you, because this ride had a purpose. More than 400 children from community centers were waiting for the group of motorcyclists. – We do it to see how happy the children are – says Sławomir Chałabis.
The children's smiles could be seen even under their helmets. For them, such a ride is a lot of fun. However, this was not the only attraction prepared by MotoMikołajów. They distributed over 1,200 gifts in total, including children with disabilities. – This is a huge gift of the heart, that's why we are here today, regardless of who is from which club – says Mr. Adam from the “Motorcyclists with Big Hearts” group.
Loud and colorful
The desire to help brought motorcyclists from Krakow together 19 years ago. At the beginning it was a group of just a few people. Now it's hard to count them all.
– Despite the winter season, we are welcomed more warmly now than when the season begins – notes Małgorzata Bereza from the “MotoMikołaje Kraków” Motorcycle Association.
Santa Claus visited hospitals and social welfare homes all over PolandMarta Kolbus/Fakty po Południu TVN24
MotoSanta Clauses put a lot of effort into making their motorcycles resemble Santa's real sleigh, because they have to fit all the gifts prepared for sick children.
– We asked for logical games, we asked for puzzles, for toys, stuffed animals, segregated by age, so that every little patient in the hospital could find a bit of comfort in these difficult times – points out Małgorzata Bereza.
The very sight of MotoSanta Clauses in front of the hospital building brought joy to the children. It was noisy, colorful, and firefighters also joined in the action. For security reasons, they could not go inside, the gifts were handed out by nurses in the wards. – It brings a tear to my eye to see how these kids react – admits Mr. Sławomir, a motorcyclist from Krakow.
The MotoSanta Claus parade was impossible to miss in Łódź. – This is one of the most beautiful events organized by motorcyclists – says Anna Sałata from the Association of Łódź Motorcyclists.
– Once I saw such an action, I was arriving by car, and I decided that if I want to become a motorcyclist, I also have to become a MotoSanta Claus – says Mr. Jakub, a motorcyclist from Łódź.
They fulfill the dreams of children who cannot count on their parents
MotoMikołaje makes the dreams of children who cannot count on their parents come true. 13 years ago, when their charity campaign started, they prepared gifts for one orphanage, now for four.
– Because quite often they don't get this gift for St. Nicholas Day, they get an emergency Christmas present, just like parcels at work in the past – says Krzysztof Sałaciński from the Association of Motorcyclists in Łódź.
The bags from MotoMikołaj include, among others, clothes, toys, small electronic equipment and sweets, i.e. everything that children asked for in letters sent to MotoMikołaj.
– It is important that these children feel that someone remembers them – says Mariusz Jabłoński, a motorcyclist from Łódź. – For these children, it means that they can count on some adults – he agrees Krzysztof Sałaciński.
– The kids are happy with every gift, and when MotoMikołaj brings it, their interest in the motorcycle makes the joy even greater – emphasizes Mr. Marcin, one of the MotoMikołajs.
In addition to Christmas packages, there are also wishes. – For them to succeed in life and, above all, for them to believe that they are full-fledged people who can do anything – sums up Krzysztof Sałaciński.
Main photo source: TVN24