Rev your ride for annual toy run

The 17th annual Durban National Motorcycle Toy Run is set to take place on Sunday, 27 November.

Get ready to rev your motorcycle engines for a superb charitable cause… children.

For just a toy as an entry fee, riders get to boast with their bikes in a mass charity ride leaving from the Pavilion Shopping Centre at 9.30am sharp.

The toy run ends at Lords and Legends at the Amanzimtoti Sports Centre, where there will be fun live entertainment for both adults and children, market stalls and a president’s auction, where the president whose club riders raise the most money gets to choose a local children’s charity to which to donate the entire amount.

Entry into the end venue is also just a toy.

Sapphire Coast Tourism chairman, Monique Botha is more than delighted that the Toy Run ends in Amanzimtoti. “We love events happening in our town.

The toy run has been running for so many years and is of course a wonderful initiative. We believe we need to offer support for such worthy causes.”

Botha added that this event draws so many people into the community, thereby benefiting accommodation, restaurants, pubs, shopping outlets and all local businesses.

Lesley Boes, organiser of the Durban Toy Run said: “Everyone is welcome to bring a toy to the end venue, where they can enjoy live music, good food and entertainment. Come and admire some beautiful bikes, fantastic stands and meet some interesting people.

Anyone wishing to donate toys by the bakkie-load is also welcome to attend. We need in excess of 20,000 toys this year and we really need the help of chain stores, schools, shopping malls, clubs or anyone who can collect toys. Please do so and make a day of it by bringing them to the end venue.”

South Africans can pride themselves in knowing that their country holds and has broken the Guinness Book of Records for the largest amount of motorcycles in one place, and the biggest charity toy run in the world through this event.

Durbanites can brag that their charity ride is the second largest in South Africa. Last year’s toy run had more than 8,000 bikers, and collected almost 15,000 toys, which were distributed to more than 30 local charities.

“The toy run is an event I attend every year. It is enjoyable and brings everyone together for a good cause,” said Quintin Riddick of Megaforce South Coast.

The KZN Motorcycle Federation road captains, in conjunction with RTI, Metro and SAPS will control intersections and on- and off-ramps along the route from the Pavilion Shopping Centre, to the N3 and down the N2 South to Kingsway Road, and to the traffic lights at Adams Road.

Anyone not participating in the toy run and wishing to use these roads should either use alternative routes or depart for their destinations before 9am or after 11am in order to avoid delays due to road closures.

For more information on the toy run, contact Les on 083-487-6846 or Jo on 072-648-5572.