An 'amazing, humble man': Tributes flood in for founder of Reading Toy Run

Published on 14/04/2021

Tributes have poured in following the death of Ben Spiller, the founder of Reading Toy Run.

Every year, the Toy Run sees more than a thousand bikers drive donated Christmas presents from Reading to High Close School in Wokingham.

The bikers, from the Christian Motorcyclists Association and other clubs, often dress up as Father Christmas and other characters, making for quite the spectacle.

Ben Spiller founded the event 36 years ago to brighten up Christmas for local families.

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Mr Spiller passed away at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice on Friday, April 9, and friends have since paid tribute to him as a dedicated Christian and an 'amazing, humble man'.

Fellow biker Sean Stillman, 54, president of the God's Squad Motorcycle Club, said: "Ben was my closest friend on the planet. Personally it's quite difficult for myself and other friends to deal with. It’s almost impossible to sum up in a sentence. Ben was one of the most persistent friendships I could have experienced and a huge presence in my life for nearly 40 years.

“He’s going to be missed enormously by those who were close to him. The Toy Run will continue to serve as an ongoing legacy of his character and heart.

“Ben was incredibly peaceful about his own circumstances, in that his faith was very important to him, and it provided him that peace. That was a big part of who he was. He was not one for wanting a big fuss around himself, he was always looking towards other people.”

One of the decorated bikes at the Reading Toy Run. The event will continue each year in Ben Spiller's honour. Credit: Paul Johns

Mr Spiller was a member of the Thames Valley branch of Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA).

Kobus Bensch, chairman of the Thames Valley CMA said: "As a bunch of Thames Valley bikers, we will be missing Ben a lot, both as a biker and as a fellow Christian. Ben’s love for Jesus is what made him push on over the years with both the Toy Run and Dr. B’s and as a brother he will be sorely missed, but he is with Jesus."

Dr B's Bike Show was another regular charity event held each July by Mr Spiller, which saw hundreds of bikers show off their motors to crowds to raise money for Barnardo's.

Fellow biker Tanas Alqassis said: "When I first met Ben, it was on a cold December day in 2008 on the toy run, he came to say hi to the CMA team and I had the chance to have a chat with him about the Toy Run, his love for bikes, and most of all Jesus.

"Ben was an amazing, humble man, who lead from behind the curtains, he was kind and gentle and did make a difference in many people lives. Ben will be missed but his legacy will carry on, rest in peace brother."

Other tributes have been written on the Reading Toy Run Facebook and Twitter pages.

It is with deep sadness that we bring you the news that our beloved friend, and the founder of the Reading Toy Run, Ben Spiller, has died.
Please see the attached from Jane and the family.
We will keep you all updated. Many thanks for your support from everyone at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/jmNBv7xMIQ

— Reading Toy Run (@readingtoyrun) April 11, 2021

Paul Cooley, another member of Thames Valley CMA, said: "I first met Ben at Dr B’s Custom and Classic Bike Show in Wokingham many years ago. He came across as a quiet but confident and friendly guy who quickly commandeered me to help with setting up. Jesus said to his followers 'I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in them, they will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'

"It is obvious Ben remained in Jesus and Jesus in him because one thing Ben certainly did was bear much fruit. He attracted people right across the spectrum and was a lovely humble man who will be greatly missed."

The Reading Toy Run is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Wokingham's calendar, and delivers donated toys from Wood Plc (formerly the Foster Wheeler building) in Shinfield Park to Barnardo's High Close School in Wokingham.

In 2017, the usual procession of bikes was cancelled due to poor weather conditions, but the volunteers still got all the presents to Barnado's on time by doing a 'toy drop'.

The organisers were forced to do another toy drop last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, as the event usually attracts hundreds of spectators.

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It is understood that a funeral for Mr Spiller will take place for his close family members in line with coronavirus restrictions limiting services to 30 people currently.

On the potential of a tribute ride in Mr Spiller's memory, Mr Stillman said: “At some stage he was aware that a funeral was going to be very small because of restrictions. When we have the freedom to gather together we will definitely organise something which will be in keeping with Ben’s and the family’s wishes.

“Ben touched a lot of people’s lives, so I am looking for an opportunity to mark Ben’s life, creating an opportunity to mourn together as a community in grief, I want to make sure we see that at some point. Something else will happen in due course."

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