This annual motorcycling charity event sees bikers young and old collect teddies and toys to delight underprivileged children over the festive season. Every year, the Toy Run collects tons of soft toys suitable for young children, although they also take care to cater for the need of older children by distributing sporting equipment, toiletries and stationery.
According to Pastor Chris van Rensburg, President of the SWDCA, bikers sponsored approximately 60 beneficiaries of Boskabouters and Pinnocio of Brandwag to attend the mass gathering on Saturday.
"It was delightful to see the joy on the children's faces. We paid for transport to have them in Mossel Bay where we treated them to face painting and McDonalds sponsored them a hamburger each", Chris added.
He said the Set Free Ministries work closely with the local ACVV to identify beneficiaries.
"On occasion, one of the bikers asked a young child what he ideally would want from the bikers. His answer surprised us all. 'If only I may have a toothbrush of my own', the young boy asked. This has set the maxim for this year's event", Chris said.
Some 700 Mossel Bay residents attended the 2013 Toy Run and enjoyed the antics of the burly men and their mean machines, knowing full well what big hearts are hidden under their leathers and helmets.
Nationally thousands of children in more than 300 orphanages, homes, shelters and hospitals around the country benefit from this event that was initiated in 1982 by a few leather-clad bikers with the aim to better their rebel reputation and to put smiles on the faces of disadvantaged children.
View more photos here.
It is estimated that about 500 bikes from as far afield as Oudtshoorn, Riversdale, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay participated in this year's annual Toy Run.
PHOTOS BY DAVE VAN DER MERWE
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