Special ride for toy run

The Northland Kids Toy Run has this year been incorporated into the White Ribbon Ride instead of the usual Kamo Christmas parade.

It will be the first time in 19 years the Toy Run has not been part of the parade.

Spokesman for the organisers of the Toy Run, Pete Timoko, says a change in date for the annual Kamo parade has resulted in a clash in days with the motorcycling fraternity's annual nationwide White Ribbon Ride.

This year the ride is going to support the Dargaville community and its stand against violence, at a White Ribbon Day event at Selwyn Park on November 24.

Riders bring a soft toy which later in the day will be delivered to the Whangarei Hospital children's ward as presents for children in Hospital over Christmas.

Proceeds of the registrations (donations or food vouchers) will go to the voluntary organisations in Dargaville running the event.

Meeting at the Bream Bay Trust, the route riders will cross the Brynderwyns to a hot rod show in Maungaturoto for an hour, then head to Dargaville where they will meet local police at the Northern Wairoa Bridge.

After a police escort through the main streets, it's up to Selwyn Park where there will be cultural performances, free band, food, drink, bouncy castles, face painting, quad bike rides and more.

"It's a Northland biker/car thing ... to give back to the community and the kids love seeing the cars and bikes pull up ... it rocks," says Mr Timoko.