Community
18 October, 2024
Motorcycle Club prepares for Toy (donation) Run drive
CAMPERDOWN’S Motorcycle Club is revving up for its annual Toy Run, with donations opening from the start of next month.
The Toy Run is part of the Warrnambool Motorcycle Club’s annual Toy Run drive, with three donation points to be established within the Corangamite Shire.
Camperdown Motorcycle Club member Sam Argyle said the Toy Run began through a decision made by a group of motorcycle enthusiasts in the early 80s to collect for the Salvation Army.
“That has transpired into now where there are various areas doing their own toy runs – there used to be a gigantic one in Melbourne and that was it, but now there’s regional ones,” he said.
“We’re attached to the Toy Run in Warrnambool, and we have been for nearly 10 years.
“We collect here and take our stuff to the Salvos in Warrnambool, and they distribute it through the local area.
“We were very adamant that it had to happen – if we’re going to collect stuff and take it down to Warrnambool, it’s all for use around the local district.”
Collection boxes will be established in the Camperdown and Cobden Ritchies IGA stores, as well as one at the Terang Co-Op Supa IGA, in the first week of November.
Mr Argyle said the collection boxes at the three supermarkets were always well-patronised.
“Last year, we went a bit over the top and went a few other stores as well but ended up getting next to nothing,” he said.
“Those three supermarkets work out well – if you’re supporting your local community and the local IGA, then you can chuck in something as you go through.
“It doesn’t take much to get an extra tube of toothpaste or a packet of toothbrushes - it’s not a big ask for anybody, but it makes a lot of difference to the Salvos because it’s not all just about Christmas for them.
“They’ve got to pick up a lot of stuff, and this just helps them do their thing.”
Donations to the Toy Run do not need to just be new toys – non-perishable food items and toiletries are also accepted in the collection boxes.
“We desperately need food stuffs and toiletries,” Mr Argyle said.
“Last year, Camperdown IGA was fantastic – they had a lot of lines that were going to be discontinued, in the lines of shampoos and all that sort of stuff, and they donated close to $3000 worth of stuff.
“We get a lot of products from there.
“Without the local community, nothing happens – every year, they dip in and do a fantastic job helping us get everything organised.”
The Toy Run collection boxes will be in the three IGA supermarkets until the first week of December, when donations will be collected and taken to the Warrnambool Salvation Army.
“Depending on the quantity, if it’s like last year – we had a mountain of stuff last year – we went down a couple of days before the Toy Run,” Mr Argyle said.
“It turned out to be good, because the Toy Run got washed out, so we didn’t get to do the ride like we normally do.
“If locals have got a spare couple of dollars – things are tough, everybody knows it’s tough – but some people have got it a lot tougher than others.”
The Toy Run motorcycle ride will take place in early December, where motorcyclists will ride from Rafferty’s Tavern in Dennington, through and around Port Fairy, through Koroit, and finally stop at Lake Pertobe in Warrnambool for a barbecue.