Bikers rev up for toy run

Thousands of bikers will once again convene at Carnival City in Brakpan on Sunday for a mass ride to Benoni as part of the 36th annual Gauteng Motorcycle Toy Run. Carrying gifts and toys for underprivileged children, they will ride to Benoni Northerns Sports Grounds where the donations will be collected for distribution to children’s charities.

This will be the fourth time that Carnival City has provided the start venue for the event, and the eighth consecutive year that Benoni Northerns has hosted the finish.

Various biker clubs will be participating in the mass ride from other venues in the north, south, east and west of Gauteng to Benoni.

Each year, about 20 000 bikers participate and more than 25 000 gifts are collected to be distributed to service clubs and child-related charities so that needy children can celebrate Christmas with a gift.

The mass ride from Carnival City will start at 9am from the bus terminal parking. With hundreds of bikes revving and riders laden with toys, it is a spectacle that the community is encouraged to come and watch.

People are also encouraged to visit Benoni Northerns Sports Grounds to watch the bikers arrive and join in the fun. There will be stalls selling food and crafts, as well as entertainment. The entrance fee is a toy. Ideally, educational toys or toiletries should be donated. No toy guns or knives will be accepted. People are urged to bear in mind that battery-operated toys are of little use once the batteries die. – Citizen reporter

Ideally, educational toys or toiletries should be donated. No toy guns or knives will be accepted. Bear in mind that battery-operated toys are of little use.