Newcastle Blanket Run

Fellow Wildcat ‘Laury’ and I headed off to Newcastle for our virgin attendance at a very worthwhile event hosted by Howard from the Salvation Army. Although not as well known as the Christmas Toy Run, this is, none the less, another important part of Newcastle’s major biker orientated events that during the course of the year raise an amazing amount of money and donations of items sorely needed by people and families less fortunate than others. A far cry from playing their instruments on street corners in the middle of winter and doing the rounds of pubs for donations, some of today’s Salvo’s have swapped their hats and uniforms for helmets and leather jackets and have taken their message to the one section of society that is well and truly, up on the top rung of the ladder as far as donating to others in need, and that’s, take a bow folks, all you “Australian Bikers” out there.

Around 350 riders had mustered at Sandgate Markets, and were busy depleting the stock of T-shirts and pins up for sale, prior, to heading off to Bar Beach for the donation of the items they had brought with them and the official speeches. I reckon, if nothing else, the sight of the crowd with all their bikes parked up and the pile of tinned food and blankets, all set against the backdrop of a spectacular bit of Aussie coastline, would have, just on its own made the day worthwhile, but, add to all that the added bonus of a Poker Run in great weather to round off the day, well, it don’t get much better than that for a biker.

Leaving from Hexham at around midday, the run headed northwards, then, after turning off the highway took a meandering semicircle back south through the hinterlands, after a couple of stops at scenic spots to pick cards and to have a can of drink from the esky in the follow up vehicle, the run finally ended up at Toronto on the waterfront. With all the hands tallied up and the major prizes handed out there was then a bonus draw of the losing hands, after a few more winners had fronted the table and made their choices, including Laury who scored himself a pair of gloves, Howard then wound up the day with a vote of thanks to all involved in the run.

One thing that I think worth mentioning, is, that in general Poker Runs tend to attract the more experienced riders, and that quite possibly a lot of people might give them a miss thinking that they might be a bit out of their depth, however, the way that this particular one was organised and run, strikes me, that it could well be an ideal starting point for first timers to get a good safe insight into why they are so popular.

In closing a vote of thanks to Lynne, Trip, Paul and Judy and of course Howard, they are by no means all the people that were involved in giving us a great day out, so to all the others not mentioned but equally deserving, I also extend my thanks as well. Make sure you keep this event in your calendar for next year, and help the Salvo’s bring a little cheer into the lives of others, and whilst doing it, having a bloody good time yourselves.