The Newcastle Jets are very proud to be a Community Partner of The Bikers For Kids Newcastle Toy Run and Salvos Family Fun day, which is on again this year from 9am this Sunday 7th December.
The Newcastle Jets will also host some of the coordinators and participants of the Toy Run as well as staff from The Salvation Army at Saturday’s clash with Wellington Phoenix.
Pre-match, just outside the main gates to the Western Grandstand, the Salvos will be collecting toy* and cash donations which goes to their Christmas appeal. The Newcastle Jets ask the Club’s supporters to make any size donation they can. A number of motorcycles will also be there to look at at and you can interact with some of the riders who are taking part.
If you are bringing toys to donate, make sure they are brand new and in their original packaging. Please do not wrap them. This makes sure the volunteers at the Salvos can tell if they are for a boy or girl and their age group (2-14 yo).
What is the Toy Run and Salvos Family Fun Day all about?
The Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run, is the longest continuously running annual event of its kind in Australia and the only Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and police approved and escorted ride. The event commenced in 1979 with around 20 bikes. The event, now in it’s 36th year, sees over 3500 riders of all ages and all types of motorcycles take part, donating and carrying toys from Stockton Foreshore to Newcastle Foreshore.
The Toy Run is totally focussed on providing toys and support for Hunter kids and families during the festive season. For the last 20 years, all proceeds from the day to have gone to The Salvation Army Newcastle, towards their annual Christmas Appeal. The Toy Run on average now benefits The Salvation Army to the tune of some $35,000 worth of Toys and $45,000 in cash donations, reaching hundreds of families in the immediate Newcastle / Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley area. In 2014, the event is hoping to raise more and to assist more families in need in our region.
In 2013, the Salvos Family Fun Day was introduced to build on the excitement and spectacle of the Toy Run. An estimated 18,000 people attended the day with special motorcycle rides, entertainment, food and market stalls throughout Newcastle Foreshore Park. This year is set to be even bigger with more rides, amusements, live music and the ever-popular Big Dog. Some of our playing squad will also be in attendance between 11am and 1pm for photo opportunities, autographs and for some small games and skill tips for junior soccer players.
Our Community Partnership
To kick things off, the Jets donated 100 Goodwill Memberships to The Salvation Army Newcastle. This total is now reaching 150 and the Jets would like to thank all of the Club’s Members who have already purchased a Goodwill Membership this season, which is going this great cause. CLICK HERE to read more.
Amber Dale, Newcastle and Central NSW Division Communications and Public Relations Director for the Salvation Army had this to say about the partnership, “The Salvation Army is very proud to partner with the Jets this year, their support has been incredibly generous and we are so grateful. This Christmas season, The Salvation Army expects to see hundreds of local families from the Hunter seeking assistance with food and toys for their children. The Toy Run is the main way we are able to support these families, and so support like the Jets are giving us, will go a long way to encouraging people to think of others this Christmas.”
“Without the Jets and our other key supporters, The Salvation Army wouldn’t be able to provide as many children with toys this Christmas or as many families with food for Christmas lunch. No child should be without a gift on Christmas day.”
Howard Mole, Newcastle and Central NSW Community Welfare Division Coordinator of The Salvation Army also added “It’s not just about putting smiles on kids faces, although that’s what donating does, It’s also about putting smiles on mum’s and dad’s faces when they realise that they are able to provide a “normal” Christmas for their kids – that Santa will come, and they no longer have to feel inadequate, or failures as parents.”
To reward their staff for all the hard work they do for the community, throughout the year, the Jets have also donated our Charity Open Air Corporate Box for the match against the Wellington Phoenix. They have also chosen to reward some of their Riders to join them as part of a competition for registering for the Toy Run, which we were only to happy to assist with.
To find out more about the event and how you can take part in the Toy Run, attend the Fun Day or to donate to the Salvos, go to www.newcastletoyrun.com.au
