Salvation Army, Darwin HOGs’ annual Toy Ride for charity
Darwin’s biker community rallied in the rain to raise money and donate toys to kids this Christmas before taking the festive spirit on a lap of the Top End.
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Decked in leather vests and candy cane stripes, hundreds of motorbike enthusiasts took the Christmas spirit for a Top End lap.
The Darwin Harley Owners Group – or Darwin HOGs – led the festive convoy in an effort to raise money and awareness for the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Toy Ride.
Phil Hodge of the Darwin HOGs has organised the Top End’s past five toy rides and said every child should get a present for Christmas.
“We help make that happen,” Mr Hodge said.
“Most of the bikers here today would have brought along a toy along, we’re selling raffle tickets, we have a sausage sizzle, and all the money that we raise goes to the Salvation Army for them to spread a bit of joy over Christmas.”
Mr Hodge said the biking community was “pretty good” at raising money for various causes and said the festive season was an extra special opportunity to “give back”.
Salvation Army spokeswoman Sally Courtney said it was “fabulous” to see large groups come together – such as for the Toy Ride – to help the charity offer food, vouchers, toys, gifts, and emergency relief over the Christmas period.
“What I think is so fabulous about this event is you’ve got all sorts of people from all areas that come to this event, ultimately supporting and giving back to their community,” Ms Courtney said.
“You’ve got people that are lawyers, bankers, people out in the rural areas, they all come together.
“They’ve all got common interests that they like their motorbikes, but you’ve got a really great bunch of people here that are ultimately supporting this cause, which is amazing.”
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