Diocese of York / News & events / News

In the run up to Christmas, the parishioners of South Cave, Elleker and Broomfleet will be seeing their vicar in a new light – dressed up as Santa on his decorated motorbike.

The Revd Mike Proctor will be visiting farmers markets, schools, residential homes and churches, dressed as Father Christmas, on his red Kawasaki GTR 1000 motorbike decorated with tinsel and Christmas lights.

Santa on a Bike started for Mike when he was a vicar in Middlesbrough. He said, “I’ve always loved bikes, and in 2011 I joined the Boundary 500 motorbike group on Teesside. One of the charity events that the group organises is a sponsored Santa ride to raise funds for Zoë's Place, a Children’s’ Hospice. It was amazing to join some 200 Santa bikers on a 22 miles ride around Teesside, raising thousands of pounds.

“Santa on a Bike is a great way to reach out to people and make them smile. As the vicar on a Santa bike I have visited schools, nurseries, nursing homes, pubs, hairdressing saloons, general dealers, restaurants, garden centres and attended the switching on of Christmas lights in various local communities.

“This December, as well as visiting farmers markets, schools and residential homes, I’ll be driving around my villages of South Cave, Elleker and Broomfleet. There’s something almost magical about the unexpected sighting of a Santa Bike as night begins to fall. It’s a great way of connecting with people of all ages and is a very effective way of letting them know what's on at their local church over Christmas.”

In addition to his regular tours around his parishes, Mike will be visiting South Cave Farmers Market on Saturday 13th December from 9.30am, Willerby Methodist Church on Wednesday 17th December from 7.30pm, and joining in with Ellerker Community Carol singing on Tuesday 23rd December from 6.00pm.