Toy Run hits the road

OVER 280 motorcycles hit the road on Saturday morning for the annual Toy Run through Ballarat, collecting toys and raising funds for the 3BA Christmas appeal.

The convoy took off at 10am from Buninyong’s Crown Hotel, travelling through Mount Clear, into the city, around Lake Wendouree and finishing at Victoria Park.

Toy Run coordinator Sharryn Nankervis emphasised the importance of receiving a gift at Christmas time and said the motorcycling community “love giving to the kids.”

“There’s so many children in Ballarat where the parents cannot afford a gift, they’re battling to get food on the table, especially at Christmas.

“The toy run is aimed at trying to get a toy for every child. We donate money and toys and we sell badges,” Mrs Nankervis said.

All money raised is converted to more toys and all donations are given to four charities working for the appeal. These charities coordinate deliveries to children in need.

For Ballarat’s Scott Miller, it’s always important to ride “for the kids.”

“It’s a great day and a great feeling riding along, seeing the crowds,” he said.

Another local, George Langley is a 40-year veteran of the Toy Run and built a special sidecar for his bike so his granddaughter, Caitlan Coleman, could join him.

But it wasn’t just locals that got involved. Darren Marston, a regular on the Geelong Toy Run to Queenscliff, thought he’d try the Ballarat ride for the first time.

He was impressed by the local traffic’s respect for the run as he rode near the front, behind the police car, for his Ballarat debut.

“It was quite good on this one. When we were coming to the roundabouts, cars were waiting,” he said.

Peter Caligari, 3BA’s Christmas Appeal ambassador said the response every year is “heartwarming.”

“It’s fantastic to see so many motorcycles taking part. it’s just so gratifying.”

“The children of our less fortunate families will all have a visit from Santa. They’ll have a toy on Christmas day and that’s what Christmas is all about,” he said.

Checkout our video and photo gallery from the Toy Run on Facebook