If you live within a couple of hundred kilometers of Newcastle and ride a motorcycle, trike or scooter then there’s absolutely no excuse for not taking part in this Toy Run, and thousands of riders once again proved that by turning up for the thirty first running of this major event in the years riding calendar, with all the hard work having been done by Big John and his behind the scenes helpers throughout the year, all that remained for riders to do, was, simply buy a toy and turn up at Sandgate Markets on the day, hell, you would have to agree a good day out does not come much more simpler than that.

Now, for those who were there, I am obviously preaching to the converted, but, if you haven’t been to this event before, and are perhaps thinking that just you and a toy are not going to make all that much difference if you don’t turn up, well think again, because as anyone who has watched that pile of toys growing in front of the stage knows, there are going to be a shit load of kids with smiles on their faces at Christmas because a biker gave up a bit of time and a few dollars to make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate than themselves.

This year the bikes took nearly an hour to pass by at the end of the run, so I would not even begin to guess at the total number attending, suffice to say it was a lot. However, when I talked to Big John for a few minutes after the run, even given the huge turnout for the day, he made the comment that he would like to see every motorcyclist in Newcastle and surrounding areas turn up for the Toy Run, now, even for a bloke of his proven caliber that might seem a bit ambitious, but to be perfectly honest there really is no reason why it could not happen. After all, there’s a whole year ahead to make sure you can be there on the day, and, if you know any another bikers that have not been to it, tell them that by simply turning up that they can be a contributing part of something really big, and not forgetting of course that in the long run it’s all for the underprivileged kids anyway.

So, why not make the effort next year and get behind Big John and the Salvo’s to show the public just how much bikers can contribute to the community when they really put their minds to it.