Community & Business
21 November, 2024
Riding for toys
THOUSANDS of dollars and toys have been donated to the Salvation Army through the annual Tablelands Toy Run over the past 28 years, and this weekend, it will be back again.
Preparations are well under way for this year’s motorcycle and car cavalcade and coordinator Don Sheppard said they were looking forward to the event to be held this Saturday.
The event is again hosted by the Highland Restorers Club – of which Mr Sheppard is vice-president – and supports the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal.
“It’s the biggest event of the year,” he said.
“It’s all about bringing people together to support a good cause – helping those in need, and for the young students at Yungaburra State school, it encourages them to take up the ‘gift of giving’ program.”
The event is expected to attract between 140 and 160 motorbikes, while about 20-30 cars will also take part.
The run will leave Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade at 9am with a sausage sizzle and barbecue available from 7.30am. From there, they will stop at the Yungaburra Market where students from Yungaburra Primary School will hand over their donations to the Salvation Army.
The motorcade will then travel a little further down the road to Malanda and receive donations from the school. From there, they will head on to Atherton and then to Tolga, arriving at the Salvation Army store for the final destination.
“It all runs pretty smoothly and usually we get a good roll up,” Mr Sheppard said.
Tablelands Toy Run will collect gifts and non-perishable food items at stops along the way, to be given to families doing it tough this Christmas.
Getting into the spirit of Christmas, Mr Sheppard said many of the participants were set to give themselves and their cars or motorcycles a festive flair.
“We usually have a couple of Santas on the day. Everyone enjoys themselves thoroughly. It’s good to get involved with a group motorcade,” he said.
“The event just keeps getting bigger and better every year. We are delighted to include the students from Yungaburra and Malanda schools in the program – it instils the gift of giving in young children, to help those less fortunate.”
This is the only toy run Mr Sheppard is aware of in the region, with participants from Cairns to Townsville and further south taking part.
Along the way, they are able to support community groups including Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade, Malanda SES, the schools and the Salvation Army overall.
“It’s good to get those other agencies and schools involved,” he said.
Tablelands Toy Run will be held on Saturday from 9am at Tinaroo Dam. From 7.30am, breakfast can be purchased at the starting area.
