South Africa Toy Run a massive hit

The South African Motorcycle Toy Run was held on the last Sunday on November, and continues to claim its status as the largest one-day charity event of its kind in the world.

Held in 20 cities on the same day, the co-ordinated nationwide event attracted an estimated 50,000 riders. Just the Johannesburg event was attended by 38,000 people riding 23,000 motorcycles, who donated over 54,000 toys.

The run started from four different points and culminated in a day of free entertainment at the National Recreation Centre.

Smaller crowds gathered in major centres Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth - down to tiny Heidelberg, where 42 riders conducted a 250km "run" to take toys to children's wards in several far-flung rural hospitals. Next year the group plan the same route in the opposite direction.

In Durban, a hurricane the night before flattened the prepared venue, but organisers mustered a working crew at dawn and the event was attended by 6500 riders.

In Port Elizabeth -- home to much of South Africa's motor industry - 4000 riders brought 5000 toys and raised 110,000 Rands ($A16,710) in cash - including auctioning a single bank-note for 70 times its face value.

In South Africa, gifts from the toy run are given directly to needy and sick children in time for Christmas -- several hundred kids are bussed to the venues and receive their gifts from Father Christmas on the day, enjoying a rare day of fun and entertainment with their benefactors.

The balance of the gifts are distributed within three weeks to hundreds of hospitals, orphanages and institutions around the country.

The South African Toy Run was started by BikePoint contributor Steve Kealy and his wife Liz 26 years ago, in spite and in violation of apartheid laws of the day.