Australian Capital Territory
Saturday the 12th of December 2009
8:30am gather in front of Old Parliament House
10am depart for Garema Place.
On Saturday the 12th of December 2009 the motorcycle community of the ACT region will come together for the annual Motorcyclists Toy Run. The motorcycles will start to gather in front of Old Parliament House from 8.30 for breakfast and a coffee, leaving at 10.00 to ride down Yamba Drive to Woden, around the large roundabout and back via Adelaide Ave into Civic to muster in Garema Place for the judging of the best dressed rider, pillion and bike, and to donate the many toys and cash brought along by the riders. Many Canberrans are expected to line the route to support the riders.
The funds raised and toys donated will be given to St John’s Care and the Salvation Army for distribution to those less fortunate in our community, helping to make a better Christmas for those families and especially their kids.
The MRA ACT always enjoys support from the community for this event, and really appreciates the presence of both federal and local politicians, many of whom line up for the ride as a pillion – or riding with the group!!
With items that have been donated for the event, a fierce bidding war also takes place, with everyone raising extra funds on the day, and many prizes are donated back to be bid for again.
The MRA ACT wishes to extend is sincere thanks and appreciation to all the riders, pillions and onlookers who every year make the day great and appreciate the support of the AFP, our VIP’s and Sponsors who add the icing on a beautiful Christmas cake that the entire community can enjoy.
What to bring? - Toys to suit all ages, cash donations, non-perishable foods.
$1,000+ in Prizes! Best dressed rider/pillion, Best decorated bike, largest attending club, largest corporate group.
Toyrun badges available at Old Parliament House and Garema Place
2009 major sponsors are TJ's Motorcycle Tyres Canberra, Motorcycle Centre, Rolfe BMW, Audio Solutions and Trophylink
Contact:
Leen 0409 984 008
Jen Woods 0418 215 336 jenwoods@internode.on.net
Peter Major 0419 866 126 peter.major@act.gov.au
Media Release
Motorcyclists Riding for the Community
2009 ACT and Districts Motorcyclist’s
TOY RUN
12th December 2009
Over 1000 bikes and riders are expected to gather at Old Parliament House this Saturday from 08:30am for breakfast in the lead up to the 2009 Motorcyclist’s Toy Run commencing at 10:00am.
This ride marks 28 years of effort by riders to raise funds and bring gifts for the charities of Canberra to aid those less fortunate during this the festive season. This event has raised tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts over the years and has been growing steadily with the reinvigorated move to motorcycling, and this year should be no exception.
Riders are invited to dress up for the ride and sponsorship is provided to reward them for the best decorated bike and rider ($500 gift voucher per category) . We have a perpetual trophy for the Club with the biggest attendance, a new category of largest corporate entry and a charity auction at Garema to add to the fun of the morning.
The ACT community is invited to come along, cheer the riders, see the decorated bikes and see the ride along Adelaide Ave, Commonwealth Ave and into Garema place. You can meet the riders at Old Parliament House before they leave or see the pack enter Garema place and feel the ground shudder. You too can bring a gift or make a donation and participate in the auction at Garema place as every dollar raised or present given will benefit Canberrans in need.
This year the ride will be led by Senator Kate Lundy, Ms Mary Porter MLA representing the Chief Minister, and Senator Gary Humphries. Also in the lead group will be Ms Meredith Hunter MLA Parliamentary Convenor of the Greens and Mr Brendan Smyth MLA Deputy Opposition leader.
Authorised by: The MRA ACT Toy Run Organising Committee
Please contact Peter Major 0419 866 126; 6207 0073; peter.major@act.gov.au if you have any questions.
Bikers bring Christmas joy
A postie heads along Adelaide Avenue.
But yesterday the region's motorcycle riders showed their softer sides as they donated money and toys to St John's Care and the Salvation Army at the Canberra Motorcyclists' Toy Run. The 28th annual run was the largest ever, attracting more than 1000 bikers from about 10 ACT clubs, including the Ulysses Club and the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.
The whiskered, leather-clad bikers donned red Santa caps and opened their wallets to raise more than $6500 for St John's Care, while the Salvation Army was inundated with hundreds of toys to ease the burden on battling families.
Motorcycle Riders' Association ACT president Pete Major said the combined effort was worth more than $10,000 to the charitable organisations.
The bikers met at Old Parliament House for a barbecue breakfast before the cavalcade rumbled to Woden and then north to Garema Place, Civic to deliver their donations.
Mr Major said the event was particularly important after the negative media attention surrounding the motorcycle fraternity this year.
''The media hype around the outlaw groups this year means the public tar all bikers with the same brush,'' Mr Major said.
''If you've got two wheels people say, you're a bikie; we don't like you, but 99 per cent of motorcyclists are just your run of the mill mums, dads, aunties, uncles and grandparents.''
Mr Major thanked Assembly members Mary Porter, Meredith Hunter and Brendan Smyth and senator Kate Lundy for putting political preferences aside to support the day.
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