Motorcycles rev up for toy run

Mid West motorcyclists will be opening their hearts for the Salvation Army Toy Run this weekend.

Held around Australia since 1978, it brings riders together to bring Christmas cheer to underprivileged children.

Geraldton’s new Salvation Army officer, Major Scott Norman, said the Toy Run was alive and well and co-ordinated by the local branch of the Uly-sses Club, a nationwide social club for motorcyclists aged over 40.

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 14, their bikes will be bearing gifts, with donations going to the Christmas appeal.

Mr Norman said their goal remained the same — to provide Christmas cheer to children up to 14 years old.

“Smiles on the faces of those older kids are just as important as on the little ones,” he said.

“We try not to disappoint anyone.”

There will be a meet and greet from 9am in the army reserve parade ground on the corner of Cathedral and Lester avenues in Geraldton.

The procession will start at 10am, escorted by WA Police cars.

The parade will head north on Chapman Road and into Cecily, Kempton and Crowtherton streets before returning along Chapman Road.

“This will offer some great viewing points, you’ll be able to see the parade from both sides just a few minutes apart,” Mr Norman said.

Riders will return to the CBD and Dome Geraldton, sponsor of the gold coin sausage sizzle which completes the run.

“We keep our costs as low as possible,” Mr Norman said.

“Dome general manager Raghav Gwaliorkar’s offer to underwrite the costs involved was most welcome news.”

Prizes will be awarded for decorated bikes and there will be musical entertainment provided by the Geraldton City Band — fittingly the original town band used to entertain on the foreshore in the 19th century.

A Ulysses Club spokesman said the Toy Run was open to “anything on two or three wheels, so long as it’s licensed”.

“Scooters, cruisers, trikes, tourers, spiders, cafe racers, adventure bikes — any bike,” the spokesman said.