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.Their hearts are bigger than their trusty steeds.  Their compassion is bigger than the compression ratio in their engines.  Their love is bigger than any underprivileged child could wish for.  These are the bikers of the Free State gathering outside on a hot Sunday morning to take part in the Annual Toy Run.

The parking lot at Dis-Chem  Northridge Mall, Bloemfontein,  is filled with people, some bikers, some shoppers, some with their pups on leashes, some just keen observers. 

There are wee ones decked out in their Harley gear to grown men with beards and spare tyres wearing their club colours with pride.   The dolls are decked out in their bling, designer jeans with fearsome boots and jackets hiding their trim figures.  Pith helmets, bone domes and full faces obscure kind eyes behind visors.  Tricycles and motor bikes have been washed and polished, engines have been fine tuned and it is time to start the Mass Ride.

The time is 10am.  The temperature is 30 degrees in the shade. 

An announcer calls all bikers to the start point asking them to line up two by two.  This is the modern version of Noah’s Ark.  The animals here are engineered to perfection.  Harleys, Kawasaki’s, Honda’s, quad bikes, a tok-tok, three Vespa’s and a side-car jostle for position.  The Marshall coaxes them onto the main road where the Free State Metro Police bring traffic to a halt.  Over one thousand motorbikes take off down the drag, each one adorned with soft toys.

The Dis-Chem Foundation has sponsored the Annual Toy Run in Bloemfontein this year.  Trisch Rosema, Trustee of the Foundation, says that while bikers are sometimes seen to be rough, they are in fact the most wonderful people with hearts of gold.  "The Foundation is honoured to be part of their charity drive this year."

She adds, "making sure that each underprivileged child receives a Christmas gift is truly what giving is all about.  Thank goodness for the bikers here today!"

Above : Even Santa was there, making sure there would be toys to collect
(he left his reindeer at The North Pole as it was too hot for them)

For three months prior to the big day, Dis-Chem Pharmacies had Toy Run collection bins outside their front doors.  Jurrien Kruizinger, Manager of the Northridge Mall store, says that while many people brought toys, just as many donated food parcels.  Dis-Chem Pharmacies also put together prize hampers for the event’s raffle, Miss Toy Run, and American Auction which raised a respectable amount.  This would be used to buy food for the various homes and organisations the bikers would visit at the end of the year.

Above : Trisch Rosema and Jurrien Kruizinger with some
of the toys collected at Dis-Chem

Forty-five minutes of relative calm settles into the parking lot until from somewhere distant, the sound of two strokes, V6’s, tiger roars and throaty purrs can be heard.  Not long and the first bikers blast up the main road.  The traffic officers shake their fingers while smiling and turning a blind eye.  This is, after all, for a good cause.

The stage is set with more microphones and music equipment than expected at a Live Aid performance.  The local band gears up and launches into a morning of pure entertainment.  Some folk start dancing, others are just happy to sit under the awnings and enjoy the music, keeping their heads (mostly bald!) out of the scorching sun.

Mario Laubscher, Vice-President of the OFS Bikers, train driver by week and green-mamba owner by weekend, is hoping to set a record of 500 plush toys harnessed to his trike this year.  He has been riding in the Toy Run for as long as he can remember, each year trying to collect more toys than the last.

Throughout 2009, Mario lovingly collected each piece, some purchased from street sellers, some from big department stores.  Each one selected carefully by Mario for the joy he knows it will bring to a child.  A child who knows very little love, care, comfort and joy.

Above : Mario Laubscher and Trisch prepare for the big count

The countdown begins... one, two, three.  The pile of toys being put into the bin grows bigger and bigger, eventually spilling onto the road.  A crowd forms around Mario’s trike and the voices get louder with each count.  Three hundred and sixty one!

"Nee jong, that’s three hundred and sixty two" someone shouts from the crowd.  He’s either been watching carefully, or he’s keen to help Mario achieve his target.

Before long another voice shouts out an arbitrary number and a chortle ripples through the onlookers, spurring them on.  Another joins in.  And another.  And another.

By the time Mario is down to the last few toys hanging from the handlebars of the green mamba, no-one quite remembers how many have been placed in the bins.  The pile is large.  Trailers have been brought in to transport the gifts to the children at Christmas time.

As the sun is setting on a day filled with good intentions and cheer, someone ventures,  "Are you disappointed you didn’t get to count properly and you don’t know if you made your target?"

"Ag man," say Mario with a roguish grin, "I’m not worried.  It just means I’ll have to try again next year!"

And he will.  Again and again and again.