The roar of motorcycles travelling in convoy for a good cause echoed around Dunedin on Saturday.
Bronz Otago Motorcycle Club president Phil Scorringe said about 300 motorcycles were ridden from Careys Bay to the Octagon for the 33rd annual toy run.
The riders and passengers came from across Otago and Southland and travelled on ‘‘all sorts’’ of motorcycles.‘‘From two wheels to four wheels, people with sidecars, to Spyders,’’ Mr Scorringe said.
When asked why the riders took part he replied: ‘‘Because we can. There are a lot of less fortunate people out there and some kids get forgotten with all the other pressures going on.’’Every rider brought a toy, or a non-perishable food item, to give to the North Dunedin Lions Club.
North Dunedin Lions Club president Ed Keable said the food would be given to Presbyterian Support Otago to distribute and the toys would be given to several charities.
The charities getting the toys were ‘‘so appreciative’’ because it enabled them to give toys to children who would have otherwise gone without, Mr Keable said.
In the Octagon, Mr Scorringe told the riders proceeds from the 33rd Vincent County Rally at Galloway, near Alexandra, in February allowed the motorcycle club to give $4000 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and $2000 to the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust on Saturday.
On Saturday, the motorcycle club collected for people affected by the Kaikoura earthquake and would match donations dollar-for-dollar.shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz
