Sons of the Southern Cross SMC collect toys for Mackay Hospital Foundation
A Central Queensland social motorbike club is bringing smiles to the faces of children spending Christmas in hospital through their annual toy run.
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A Mackay social motorbike club is trying to bring a little joy for children spending Christmas in hospital.
On Saturday members of the Sons of the Southern Cross SMC Central Queensland chapter will collect toys from across the region to be delivered to Mackay Hospital Foundation.
“It’s just to give the kids a bit of joy around this time,” Geoff ‘Wellsy’ Wells said.
The CQ chapter secretary knows exactly what’s it’s like to spend lengthy time in hospital away from loved ones.
He spent 13 months in hospital following a devastating crash in northern New South Wales that claimed the life of his friend and biker brother Wes ‘Pop’ Carlton on October 20, 2019.
As a result of that crash Mr Wells’s right leg had to be amputated above the knee.
“Coming from me having to spend so much time in hospital, it’s not a fun place,” he said.
“Especially for kids.”
It is the fifth year the SOTSC have put on a toy run and the second time the proceeds will be donated to Mackay Hospital Foundation.
Mr Wells said last year the social motorbike club gathered more than 150 toys – as a result of their efforts in 2021, nurses were able to gift every child in hospital on Christmas Day a new toy.
“We’re hoping to at least match that or do better (this year),” he said.
The toy run will begin at Mackay Harley Davidson in the CBD with a sausage sizzle from 10am on December 3, before the crew heads to the Eton Hotel from about noon.
Mr Wells said they would say there about an hour and then head to the General Gordon Hotel, also for an hour, before ending the day at Handlebar Heaven from about 4pm.
“We’ve been watching the weather for the past week … even if it rains, we’re still going to be doing it,” he said.
“It’s on rain, hail or shine.”
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