The annual Toy Run, which takes place this Sunday, is about bringing Christmas to children living in less than ideal circumstances.
Which is why there will be at least 19 Toy Runs all around South Africa in this, its 32nd year, with riders on every type of two and three-wheeler you can imagine and a good few you won’t, coming together to reach out to society’s most vulnerable minority – those too young to speak for themselves.
It’s about children who live in places you have ridden past – or may even have grown up in – who wouldn’t know anything about the outpouring of love that informs most of our lives at the close of the year unless we bring it to them.
That’s simply because the people responsible for their care are to busy putting food on the table – or indeed, a roof over that table – to worry about niceties such as Barbie dolls, cricket bats and teddy bears.
More than 100 000 bikers and their families will ride this Sunday, bringing gifts for children in need all over South Africa and Namibia in Southern Africa’s largest biker-driven charity event.
GAUTENG TOY RUN
Gauteng’s Toy Run will once again converge on the Benoni Northerns Sports Grounds (John Barable Hall) after mass rides that leave at 9am from the following four venues: Blockhouse Engen 1-Stop on the R59 between Randvaal Road & Heidelberg Road; Irene Village Mall on the corner of Nellmapius Drive and Van Ryneveld Avenue; Meadowdale Mall in Edenvale Road between R24 and N12; and SilverStar Casino on the R28 Paardekraal Road near Pinehaven intersection.
Although this day is focussed on the motorcycling community it is open to the public and there will be secure parking for cars and bikes. The public is encouraged to attend and bring their entire family along to Benoni Northerns, which will be a hive of activity with live bands and over 80 stalls and food vendors.
As usual the entrance fee is a toy (or many). Toy-festooned bikes have become synonymous with the Toy Run because of the colourful spectacle they make but the children also need stationery, toiletries, books, educational packs, and sports equipment.
These items will be distributed to the needy by service clubs like the Round Table, Rotary, and Lions, making the upcoming holidays a little brighter for disadvantaged children. The mass rides will be escorted by Metro police and intersection controlled. All bikes must be street legal and capable of completing the distances.
Quads and offroad bikes should use the off- road Toy Run venue of Smoking Pistons Raceway in the Deep South at cnr Klipriver and Swartkoppies roads, Alberton (contact Brad Mostert on 071 553 1656).
CAPE TOWN TOY RUN
The Cape Town Toy Run will start from only one venue in 2014 – the Grand West Casino in Goodwood – at about 10.30am on Sunday 30 November (but please allow 15 minutes either way) and will end at the William Herbert Sports Ground, in Rosmead Avenue, Wynberg.
All normal road rules apply and all licensed riders on roadworthy motorcycles are welcome to participate.
The public are also welcome to donate toys at the end venue from noon to 4pm on the day, and join in the festivities at the end venue.
The entrance fee – for bikers and public alike – is one or more toys; should you not bring a toy, you will be asked to donate R20 towards the costs of staging the Toy Run, which are now well into six figures each year.
There will be a beer garden, food stalls, motorcycle displays, Toy Run memorabilia, bike-related jewellery, clothing and accessories on sale, with three live bands and entertainers headlined by Kurt Schoonraad on the main stage, as well as spot prizes in various categories.
The popular Concours d’Elegance has been revived this year, so shine up your ride and brag a bit – you could walk away with a prize.
Because the teddy bear logo has become so closely associated with the Toy Run, each year the organisers receive a vast majority of soft toys suitable for very young children. But there is a desperate need for gifts for older children (teenage boys and girls) such as sports equipment – cricket sets, basketball hoops, balls of any type, costume jewellery and craft kits, puzzles and board games, toiletries and make-up for older girls, fun stationery, drawing and art equipment.
Please, no toy guns of any kind; these will not be distributed.
For more information about the Cape Town Toy Run contact Rodney Ford on 021 703 8121or Glynis Coetzee on 083 452 2916.
REST OF SOUTH AFRICA
Other cities and towns across the country are well covered, with Toy Runs scheduled to take place in at least 19 different locations, from Durban to Bloem, Kimberley, Upington and many more. Log onto www.toyrun.co.za to find our more about each event.
Star Motoring