Toyrun GP 2010 Press release

ANNUAL TOY RUN GROWS TO INCLUDE CARS AND BICYCLES

The annual Gauteng Toy Run, which was established 28 years ago, will spread its wings this year to include cars and bicycles as well as motorcycles and will now take place over two days – November 27 and 28 – instead of only on the Sunday.
A 35km training run for cyclists will take place from 07:30 on the Saturday and car enthusiast clubs will deliver toys to the MTN Expo Centre, Nasrec, between 10:00 and 15:00. The traditional mass motorcycle ride will take place from various starting points in the province to the Expo Centre on the Sunday morning.
“We are delighted at the big increase in interest in the Toy Run in Gauteng this year and the fact that we will have even more toys and educational equipment to distribute to underprivileged children,” said an executive of the organisers, the Motorcycle Toy Run Company, Graeme Cartwright.
The first Toy Run was staged in Johannesburg in 1982 by the Italian Motorcycle Club in an effort to uplift the image of motorcyclists by encouraging them to help underprivileged children. Since then the Toy Run has gone national and an estimated 70 000 motorcyclists take part in mass rides to more than 25 locations around the country on the last Sunday of November each year.
More than 40 000 motorcyclists are expected to take part in the Johannesburg event, starting out from seven different venues around the city between 08:45 and 10:00 and riding to the MTN Expo Centre. They will use the N3 and N1 highways and will provide an amazing spectacle for onlookers.
This year the SAPS Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund will be arranging entertainment to raise funds for recently orphaned children who have lost a police officer parent who died in the course of duty. Besides live entertainment there will be stalls selling a variety of goods and full catering will be available on the site. Additional entertainment this year will include drifting demonstrations, helicopter flips and displays of classic cars and motorcycles, with more attractions still being finalised.
Families who come to the MTN Expo Centre by car will have secure parking areas and they will also be directed on separate routes to the venue so will not be caught up in the mass ride of motorcycles.
In addition there will be a separate event for off-road motorcyclists at Dirt Bronco’s near Krugersdorp on the same day, with more than 3 000 motorcycles and quads expected to participate.
No entry fee is charged provided each motorcyclist, car driver or cyclist brings an educational pack or toy. (A selection of gifts and educational packs will be on sale at the entrance with the cooperation of Makro). Gifts are required for children from babies to 18 years-of age, with preference for educational packs, while toiletries will also be welcomed by the older children.
The items collected in Johannesburg – the target this year is more than 50 000 items – will be distributed to worthy welfare organisation by service clubs such as Rotary, Lions, Round Table, Ladies Circle, Rotary Annes and Rotaract, as well as the Salvation Army.
“We are looking to a record turn-out this year as we aim to make World Cup year a very special time for the underprivileged children we will be able to provide with gifts during the festive season,” concluded Graeme Cartwright.