More than 30 000 bikers congregated at venues around the country this weekend, as enthusiasts brought toys for disadvantaged children ahead of Christmas.
More than 30 000 bikers congregated at venues around the country this weekend, as enthusiasts brought toys for disadvantaged children ahead of Christmas.
It was the biggest biker charity event this year.
In Cape Town, nearly 6 000 riders took part in the procession carrying enough toys to fill a 2,5-ton truck and two trailers to the brim. Hundreds of non-riders descended on the end-point at Maynardville to add their toys to the pile. Peter Palm, CAR road test engineer, took the pictures.
In Gauteng, participants started from at several points in Johannesburg and Pretoria and ended at the Gosforth Park circuit for the biggest bike gathering in the world. Motorcycles were parked almost all around the oval track and occupied most of the infield.
Around 20 000 motorcycles took part in the event that for the first time was open to cars, too.
In Durban, approximately 4 500 bikes and hundreds of cars laden with toys took part in the event that ended at the Extreme Adventure Show. About 8 000 toys were collected at the event in aid of East Coast Radio’s Toy Story.
Bloemfontein’s Toy Run saw just over 400 riders collect almost 1 200 toys – of which 275 were donated by one participant, Mario Loubscher.
More than 1 000 riders took part in the Port Elizabeth event, while East London’s event was held last Saturday, where about 100 riders rode in a rain-soaked event.
Pietermaritzberg will host its toy run on December 5. The procession will leave from Motorcycle Centre in Berg Street at 9:30 am and move to the Mountain View entertainment centre.
With most of the fun out of the way, convenors around the country are now tasked with sorting through the toys and other donations before distributing them to children’s homes, hospitals, and other agencies.
