Bikers For Kids Salvos Family Fun Day

Published at: www.culturehunter.org, December 2013

Who: Assorted Bikers in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
What: Bikers For Kids Toy Run
Where: Stockton Ferry to Newcastle Foreshore
When: December 1^st, 2013

ON THE 1^st of December, about 5,000 riders gathered over near Stockton Ferry. Meanwhile, dozens of stalls set up tent in the park next to the Newcastle Tram Sheds. The aim shared by all? To head over to Nobby’s Foreshore and deliver $25,000 worth of donated toys to the Salvation Army.

The event was the ‘Bikers For Kids Toy Run’, now celebrating its 35^th year.  When it first began in 1978 it was only a small event, attended merely by 20-odd riders. By 1988 this number had grown to 300; over the next two decades, it grew even further to an impressive 4,000 bikes in 2011.

By 2000 the run was causing major headaches to the RTA, as bikers were interrupting road usage- risking collision- and often overheating, thanks to stalled conditions.  The implementation of the Traffic Management Plan signed off by the RTA, the Police and NCC, however, gave the event a higher level of protocol and organisation. “This saw the ride run much more smoothly,” said Howard Mole, one of the organisers, “and with less traffic interruptions, it meant a better flow for the bikes.”

Big John was the ‘man-to-go-to’ for the run, and has been since 1990. He was as good-natured as he was imposing, and I was lucky enough to grab him on one of his many visits into the Salvation Army office. He spoke to me about the lengthy time it took to weave through all the red tape, and his insight gave me a real appreciation for the protocol that must be addressed. Howard later expanded upon this, commenting that “one of the biggest challenges each year is safely getting the bikes on and off the road.” This is always compounded by the dramas of merging with traffic.  “With around 5,000 bikes, “he added, “traffic flow needs a lot of planning.”

Since first beginning, the Newcastle Toy Run has come to be considered Australia’s oldest continuous toy run. In 2012, $75,000 in donations and toys were “gratefully accepted by the Salvation Army.” Some 500 families were among those whom the care of the Salvation Army was directed towards. 2013 was much the same with about $40,000 in donations being received, helping perhaps 600 families; in addition, there was literally a truckload of toys packed away as the day wound down.

This toy run, together with the ‘Bikers For Kids Salvation Army Fun Day’ is a huge community event. As John observed, Newcastle City Council said that it brought in $1.5 million to the Newcastle economy last year. Considering this, the efforts to bring it into being and the big number of participants involved, one thing certainly comes clear- it’s definitely a worthy day!