The response to this year's toy run was so enthusiastic the organisers had to find more storage places for the piles of toys and gifts which the motorcyclists donated. Photo / Paul Taylor
About 160 motorcyclists, led by Santa in a glittering Ford Model T hot rod, gave it everything they had at the conclusion of yesterday's Twin City Toy Run which was staged to help our Birthright Hawke's Bay families this Christmas.
The riders and pillion passengers handed over so many cuddly
soft toys and gifts that the call went out to find something to put the overflow donations in.
Birthright acting chief executive Mal Ellis, who has been involved with the last 10 events, said the large bins laid out to drop the goodies into were soon overflowing, such was the generosity of the motorcyclists. "We also ended up filling the back of a ute' and there were still more coming," he said.
The 28th Twin City Toy Run set out from Stortford Lodge in Hastings at 11am and arrived at the Anderson Park finishing spot in Greenmeadows just before noon.
The procession of motorcycles of all sizes and brands was led by Santa Claus, who was said to closely resemble one of the members of the Ulysses Club which, along with the Hawke's Bay Classic Motorcycle Club, is an annual supporter of the run.
