The annual motorcycle Toy Run through the streets of Cootamundra, to remind people to leave toys with the Salvation Army, has been cancelled this year due to the Covid pandemic.
Normally held on the second Saturday in December, the event is an impressive procession of motorcylcists from the Ulysses Club and other motorcylists from near and far to remind Cootamundra people they can leave toys for the appeal at the Salvation Army store in Hovell Street.
The procession generally starts at the Family Hotel and makes its noisy and colourful way along Hovell Street through Parker Street and finishing with a barbecue at Albert Park, where toys can also be left at the Salvation Army truck.
"It just was an impossibility to get it all organised, you didn't know what was going on, so the Ulysses Club decided not to go ahead with it this year," said the Ulysses Club's Pat Teale.
Mrs Teale thanked Ulysses Club members, the business people of Cootamundra and the general public for contributing the Toy Run for over 17 years.
"Over this time you have given toys for Christmas for more than 2,000 children in the district so they will have a smile on their faces on Christmas morning," Mrs Teale said.
"We hope through your generous help we can keep that smile going.
Please could you all donate toys or money, no matter how small, it all helps, to the Salvation store in Hovell Street.
"St. Kate and her Elves will gladly accept toys etc that you put under the Christmas tree.
"If any family needs help just pop in and see Kate at the Salvation Store, and she will tell you what to do.
"Merry Christmas! Hope next year is a ripper Christmas with all our families and friends.
"Special thanks to Mark Loiterton, the police, the Council, and the Cootamundra Bicycle Users Group."
The event has been held in tandem with many other country towns and suburbs that have branches of the Ulysses Club. The Ulysses Club Inc. is a motorbike club for over 45s, with the motto "Grow Old Disgracefully".
