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Motorcycle Toy Run 2008 – Short Info Release - Gauteng
This year’s Motorcycle Toy Run will take place on Sunday 30th November 2008 and
promises to be the largest in our 26 year history. With 4 start points around
Gauteng and finishing at our new end venue Expo Centre, Nasrec, it promises to
be a great day for bikers and non-bikers alike. Full information can be found
at www.toyrun.org.za
Motorcycle Toy Run 2008 – Press Info Release - Gauteng
Toy Run 2008 is here again, bigger and better than ever before. This year the
Gauteng Motorcycle Toy Run will take place on Sunday 30th November and promises
to be one of the most exciting events on this year’s motorcycling calendar.
Start venues are Silverton Midas in Pretoria, Greenstone Mall our new starting
point in the East, Steeldale shopping centre in the South and Brightwater
commons in the West. This year all start venues will have catering and Toy
sales available just in case you did not manage to get your toy in time.
All runs will depart between 8.45 and 9.30 and everyone is welcome to line the
route along the N3 and N1 to view the spectacle. The run will culminate at Expo
Centre, Nasrec, which is the largest covered end venue facility we have ever
been able to utilise. Secure parking will be provided inside the venue on firm
surfaces and the entire venue will be open for all of the activities and
events. Once again live bands will entertain, full catering is provided and our
largest ever trade show will be there. Additional entertainment will be on hand
with a full program to keep everyone amazed and entertained.
Car drivers are more than welcome to attend the Expo centre festivities and
enjoy the spectacle, secure parking will be available inside the venue also,
but please do remember to bring as many gifts as possible for underprivileged
children. No cash entry fee is charged for the event but we do as everyone to
bring a gift for the underprivileged as their entry. Gifts for children from
babies to 18 years for both boys and girls are gratefully distributed to worthy
homes all over Gauteng on the final weeks before Christmas by members of
Rotary, Lions, Roundtable, Ladies Circle, Salvation Army, Rotary Anns and
Rotoract.
Motorcycle Toy Run 2008 – Full Information Detail
The Motorcycle Toy Run, taking place on Sunday 30 November, is the day when
South Africa’s loudest minority open their hearts to its most silent. Now
celebrating their 26th successive run, the current format is a far cry from its
humble beginnings of some 300 motorcyclists travelling from Milner Park to Rand
Stadium in Turfontein. Now, not only an institution in the biking community,
the Toy Run has become known as South Africa’s largest and most heart-warming
charity event.
Not only is the Toy Run a spectacle, it's the biggest biker party of the year
and a motorcycle procession of awesome proportions. The public are requested to
take note of Toy Run times and routes in their area, which send goosebumps to
anyone that witnesses them.
The object of the Toy Run is for each participant to donate one or more toys, to
make Christmas a little brighter for children of all ages and races in
orphanages, shelters, homes and hospitals in our communities. In addition to
raising the general publics view of motor bikers
The Toy Runs in Johannesburg, Cape Town & Bloemfontein are registered
Organizations, administered by a non profit (section 21) Company in Joeys, and
a Charity Toy Run Trust in both Cape Town & Bloemfontein. None of the
Directors of the company, nor the trustees have ever benefited in any way from
proceeds of a Toy Run.
The inaugural Toy Runs organized by the Italian Motorcycle owners club, took
place simultaneously in Cape Town and Johannesburg in November 1982. Now some
26 years down the line, there are Toy Runs in major centres and small towns all
over South Africa, (Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London,
Johannesburg, Kimberly, Klerksdorp, Mossel Bay, Nelspruit, Port Elizabeth,
Pietermaritzburg, Pietersburg, Plettenberg Bay, Queenstown, Swakopmunt,
Vanderbijlpark, Vryheid, & Windhoek), hosted by local motorcycle clubs and
service organizations, with the invaluable assistance of the commercial sector.
The number of participating motorcycles range from 90 to 18,000
Over 40,000 motorcyclists and their friends are expected to turn out across the
country on Sunday 30th November with toys of all shapes and descriptions, to
bring a better Christmas to disadvantaged children. Distribution is coordinated
by various service clubs. In Gauteng, due to the runs size, the resources of
Round Table, Lions, Rotary, Rotary Anns & Rotoract, Salvation Army and
Ladies Circle are utilized, making it the largest combined services project
known in the world.
The Johannesburg run (being the largest of the runs) has four starting points.
Silverton Midas in Pretoria from the north, Steeldale Hyper from the south, the
new East starting point is Greenstone Mall and the West starting point is The
Brightwater Commons. Last year some 45,000 toys where collected and distributed
from the Johannesburg run alone
All of these runs will converge this year on a new end venue Expo Centre in
Nasrec for a day of fun and entertainment aimed at the whole family. “We expect
well over 18,000 motorcycles to take part again in this year’s Johannesburg
run, and motorists are invited to decorate their cars as well and join in the
fun – which is for a great cause”, said the Toy Run Chairman, Sean Fine.
Motorists are invited to join in the fun, and can arrive at Expo Centre from
8am onwards with their toys for charity, but should not try to drive inside the
run for safety reasons.
Participation in the Toy Run is free. All that the organisers ask is that
spectators bring toys! From the start venues, the routes will be patrolled by
traffic officers of numerous metros to ensure the safety of both riders and
members of the public who position themselves at vantage points along the
route.
The Toy Run is open to any licensed rider on a licensed and roadworthy
motorcycle, provided that he or she donates at least one toy each. The toy (or
toys!) is both the entrance fee and the ticket to enter Expo centre in Nasrec.
“Possibly because the teddy bear Insignia is so closely identified with the Toy
Run, the vast majority of gifts we receive is in the form of soft toys suitable
for younger children; but there is always a need for boy's toys, such as sports
equipment (cricket sets, basketball hoops, soccer balls, etc.), for children of
all ages, and also older girls items such as makeup & skin care products
etc”, appealed chairman Fine.
No private persons have been granted permission by the Toy Run to collect toys
in the name of the Toy Run or on its behalf. Anyone wishing to donate toys but
are unable to attend on the day, are asked to contact a Convenor directly.
Programme Of Events
Starting Times on Sunday 30th November 2008
Silverton Midas in Pretoria from the north, Starting at 08:45
Steeldale Hyper from the south, starting at 08:45
The East Rand starting point is Greenstone Shopping Centre Starting at 09:00
And The Brightwater Commons from the West, starts at 09:15
Arrival time at the end venue Expo Centre is between 09:40 and 10:55
Going straight to the end venue in a car? Get there around 09:00, and follow the
signs to the separate secure car parking at the venue. The toy donation
entrance fees can then be carried into expo centre and you are invited to join
the day of fun.
The start of the Toy Run for motorcyclists is an event in itself, with an
excitement and a vibe all its own; with many gathering at the various venues
well before the start time, as early as 06:30. This year all start venues will
have toys for sale just in case you forget to pick yours up and you are welcome
to make a donation at the end venue.
The Processions
The processions will be led by the host clubs, from the various starting points,
the speed of the runs will be regulated by these lead clubs in order to abide
by the applicable maximum limits for the safety of all.
Members of Think Bike as well as Marshals & officials will be clearly
identified with reflective clothing, please obey these marshals.
Safety Precautions
With more than 18,000 motorcyclists expected to participate in the 2008 Toy Run,
the potential for a disastrous accident is very real. For the safety of all
riders involved, bikers are requested to observe the following safety
precautions:
Only licensed riders on licensed roadworthy motorcycles may ride in the Toy Run.
No quads, ATV's or off-road motorcycles are permitted in the main run.
No riders under 16 years old.
All riders and passengers to wear motorcycle crash helmets.
No "donuts" or “wheelies” at the start venues, which becomes very crowded on the
day of the Toy Run.
Keep to the parade controlled speed during the procession.
Riders are warned that overtaking during the run is dangerous.
No wheelies during the Toy Run unless part of the entertainment programme!
The officers of all traffic departments involved will show very little patience
with this particularly dangerous behaviour during the Toy Run - you have been
warned.
End Venue
This year see’s Toy Run moving to its largest ever venue Expo Centre, Nasrec a
new venue where the traditional beer gardens, food stalls, displays, accessory
and motorcycle stalls will again be on hand. Please follow marshal’s
directions.
Entertainment
Once again live music and plenty of space to just relax with a cool one (or
two). There will again be lots of other entertainment which has always proved
to be very popular in previous years.
Food & Drinks
The catering at Expo centre is contracted out and so once again the usual Expo
Centre fast food and franchised outlets will cater on the day. The Toy Run
organising committee is currently negotiating prices at the venue for the day.
Badge & T Shirt sales, Trade stalls & Displays
The usual selection of unique Toy Run badges, year bars and Toy Run t-shirts
will be sold near the Toy collection area in Hall 6. The stalls and stands will
also be adjacent to the Hall 6 & will be showing off the latest in bikes
and accessories as well as bike-related jewellery and memorabilia.
Live Entertainment
Throughout the afternoon there will be live music with exciting spot prizes and
who knows what Miss Toy Run will walk away with this year, all held together by
our very own radio celebrity Mark Taylor.
Media
Press kits like this one, together with photo opportunities with a variety of
spectacular motorcycles can be arranged at your convenience, and we can supply
follow-up copy closer to the date of the Toy Run. Our sponsors are encouraged
to feature the Toy Run in their advertising during the period leading up to the
event.
Non-Motorcyclists
We ask members of the public wishing to participate not to attempt to intervene
or join in the procession along the route as this poses huge dangers to the
riders; however, everybody is welcome to join us at the end venue on the same
basis as the riders - bring toys! Your toy (or toys!) is both your entrance fee
and your ticket to Expo Centre, Nasrec
Any further information regarding donations, assistance or participation in the
Toy Run is obtainable from the Toy Run organizing Committee
Chairman: Shaun Fine 083 400 0214
Event Convenor: Pete Beart 083 229 6621
End Venue Convenor: Graeme Cartwright 083 463 2761
PR & Marketing: Graham Perry 082 903 5767
Trade Stalls: Russell Jones 082 552 4528
Postal Address:
PO Box 1443 Benoni 1500
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