Toy run rolls up up for a great cause

HUNDREDS of people and a menagerie of machines gathered at a Ravenswood service station last Sunday for a toy run in support of a local charity in the lead-up to Christmas.

The 10th annual Toy Dash to Pratty’s Patch asked people to join the event equipped with a toy to donate to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal.

Organiser, Melanie Tatt, said there was also lots of entertainment for kids and adults alike waiting at the other end of the journey.

“We drive to Pratty’s Patch, we have live music, we’ve got a jumping castle this year, face painting, fairy floss,” she said. “Everything’s been sponsored this year.

“We collect the toys at Pratty’s Patch and the Salvation Army takes them from there and distributes them to people in financial hardship.”

Toy Dash to Pratty’s Patch sponsors included Bendigo Party Hire, Marong Produce, BL Builders, Teds Electrical Contracting, Harvey Norman Bendigo, Property Plus, Beauty Bar, Amped Auto Installations, Artcraft Floors, and Blue Jay Neon Bloom Face Painters.

Several people who had participated in previous events said 2023 was the biggest turn-out they had seen so far.

Even Santa himself showed up for the cause, dropping by on a fire truck with the help of Maiden Gully Fire Brigade volunteers.

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal runs through December and accepts cash donations as well as food and gifts that go towards hampers and presents for those doing it tough this festive season.

A survey by the charity estimated that almost half of those who will reach out to the charity this Christmas will be doing so for the first time.

Donations to the Christmas Appeal can be made online at salvationarmy.org.au