The annual Ballarat Toy Run roared through town this weekend with the Central Highlands Chapter of the Ulysses Motorcycle Club and others collecting toys for local charities and spread a little festive goodwill.
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The annual Ballarat toy ride rolled into town on Saturday with bike and scooter riders from all over the state coming together to collect toys and raise money for the 3BA Xmas Appeal.
The toy run has been blessing Ballarat with gifts and good times for over 20 years and this year about 400 bikes of all shapes and sizes rumbled from Buninyong to Ballarat in the name of Christmas charity.
Riders donated and collected toys along their route to give to Ballarat charities to ensure every child receives a gift on Christmas Day.
President of Central Highlands Chapter of the Ulysess Motorbike Club and Toy Run co-ordinator Sharryn Nankervis said the day was a great success.
“We raised around $3500 dollars from entry donations, coin donations and badges we sold on the day,” she said.
“All that money went to the appeal and we had a trailer full of toys donated; we picked up the trailer at Crown Hotel in Buninyong and there was already a lot of toys.
“People bought toys on their bikes and the public donated as well; then we collected some more toys on the way through and even more at Victoria Park.
“I couldn’t even guess how many toys we collected altogether.”
It's all for the children.
- Sharryn Nankervis, Toy Run co-ordinator
Ms Nankervis said she is humbled each year by the level of support and involvement she receives from her fellow motorbike club members and the wider community to make the toy run a roaring success.
“We are a social group not a service group and helping the community is very important to us, especially where children are involved.”
The whole Ballarat community banded together to make the day a success and Ms Nankervis said everyone deserved thanks for donating their time.
“I want to thank all the volunteers who helped me and a special mention to Peter Caligari who does a great job as director of 3BA Christmas appeal,” she said.
“Also the Ballarat East Community Men's Shed did a great job with the sausage sizzle, it all adds to the atmosphere of the day.”
Check out our gallery from the 2017 Ballarat Toy Ride:
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