Cape Town Charity Toy Run

Join burly bikers in brightening up the holidays for children across the country

The annual motorcycling charity event, the Cape Town Toy Run, will see thousands of motorbikers, weighed down with teddies and toys, in a bid to collect toys for underprivileged children on Sunday, 25 November 2012.

Initially started in 1982 by few leather clad road hogs looking to better their rebel reputation and to put a smile on the face of a disadvantage child during the festive season, the regular November event has snow-balled into a mass movement. Now, 30 years since its inception, tens of thousands of bikers collect more than 100,000 toys (on average) prior to the Toy Run, and then adorn their hogs with everything from dolls to dragons to deliver the play-things to over 19 centres – from Cape Town as far as Windhoek and Walvis Bay in Namibia.

As a result, thousands of children in more than 300 orphanages, homes, shelters, hospitals and charity organisations around the country enjoy a truly festive holiday season; not to mention, the initiative also proves that these burly bikers with ZZ Top-style beards and black Ray-Ban sunglasses are just big teddies themselves.

The Cape Town run – the bikers depart from the Ottery Hypermarket and trek to Maynardville – makes for a spectacular show, and the general public are encouraged to watch the procession from safe vantage points; for safety reasons vehicles of viewers are prohibited from parking along the island of the M5.

The six-hour event at the Maynardville end point, which starts at 10am, is open to the public (with the entrance fee of a toy) and has become a well-attended calendar highlight complete with beer-gardens, food stalls, motorcycle-related merchandise and loads of giveaways throughout the day. With three bands - Tuxedo, the Blues Broers and Slowbone - a magician and comedic Cape Town royalty Kurt Schoonraad as live entertainment, the day is bound to be a jol in the park.

If you have never taken part or been to the Toy Run end point celebration, go out and buy a few toys and support this worthy cause. Cash donations will be accepted prior to the event, but not on the day. All toys collected for 2012 will be distributed during the year, no toys are kept aside. Remember, no toy, no entry, so open your hearts and wallets and bring along something to put a smile on the face of a child face who will otherwise not receive anything over the festive season.

Suggested Toy Run Donations

Every year, the Toy Run collects tons of soft toys suitable for young children; however, there is a growing need for gifts for the older children. Here are a few suggested gifts suitable for teenagers.

• Sports equipment (cricket sets, basketball hoops, soccer balls, tennis balls, rugby balls, etc
• Costume jewellery
• Craft kits
• Toiletries or make-up for older girls
• Puzzles and board games
• Stationery, drawing and art equipment
• Please be advised, no toy guns of any kind will be distributed

Rules for the 2012 Cape Town Toy Run

• No unlicensed riders and vehicles are permitted and traffic officials will be on duty to enforce these rules.
• Pillions need not be licensed, but road rules apply and no children under 16 are allowed to ride pillion.
• No private person(s) are given permission to collect toys or funds in the name of the Toy Run, if you wish to donate and cannot attend, contact the organisers on info@toyrun.co.za.

Please note: participants in the Toy Run do so at their own risk, organisers and affiliated parties are indemnified of any and all liabilities.

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You don’t have to own a motorcycle to take part, rent a Harley-Davidson for the day and join in on this awesome experience.

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