The MRA Toy Run is held annually in December and involves a spectacular procession of motorcycles that roll through the city. At its final destination, riders present a huge collection of toys and other gifts to charities for distribution to needy children at Christmas.

The original concept behind the Toy Run was to improve the community's perception of the motorcycling fraternity. We wanted to demonstrate that motorcyclists were ordinary human beings capable of acts of altruism, just like anyone else. It was agreed that the donation of toys to needy children at Christmas was a great way of showing this.

The first Toy Run in 1978 saw 35 to 40 riders arrive at the Salvation Army's car park in Spring Street, Melbourne, where they donated toys to waiting Salvation Army officials. The afternoon was spent listening to a band called 'The Jivers', who performed on the back of a rented tray truck.

The MRA wanted to work together with authorities to ensure the event was well-organised and gained plenty of publicity. Negotiations saw the second Toy Run end at the steps of the GPO in the middle of the city.

The event has grown enormously since its humble beginnings, with participants now numbering around 15,000. The event has a high profile, and winds its way through different suburbs of Melbourne each year.

The MRA Toy Run has attracted plenty of attention from celebrities willing to donate their time to assist with entertaining the crowds that gather to watch the Run. Special guest appearances over the years include champion motorcycle racers Wayne Gardner and Kevin McGee, Premiers, Government Ministers and city officials including Joan Kirner, Bob Brown, Trevor Huggard and Leckie Ord. Melbourne comics Rod Quantock and Eric Bana have hosted the event and local musicians, including Ross Ryan and Jenny Lee, have also lent a hand.

For more information about Toy Runs around Australia visit www.toyrun.org.au

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