Toy Run forced to put the brakes on thanks to council

Roads leading to the Benoni Northerns Sports Club will be unusually quiet at the end of November as the Gauteng Motorcycle Toy Run organising committee finds alternative means to collect toys for underprivileged children this year.

For the first time in 13 years, the widely successful event will not see biking enthusiasts participating in a mass ride which culminates in a festive gathering in the heart of Benoni.
According to Pete Beart, Toy Run Gauteng (Johannesburg) chairperson and event co-ordinator, the stringent implementation of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010 (revised in 2017), by the City of Ekurhuleni and its Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has forced the Johannesburg Toy Run committee to adopt a new format for collecting toys.

“Since its inception in 1982, the Johannesburg Toy Run has seen thousands of bikers riding with toys strapped to their bikes travelling in a mass convoy to the annual event,” he said.

“It is sad that bureaucracy is stifling our efforts to bring joy to children during the festive season.”

Beart explained that planning an event of this magnitude is often met with red tape.

“Every year, the council has new requirements and specifications which must be included in our safety file,” he explained with a hint of irritation.

“We always meet the criteria, resulting in the event being approved. To date, the Toy Run has gone down without a hitch.”

This year, however, the event organisers were informed that in line with the Act, a comprehensive fire plan needs to be drafted by the council’s fire department.
“The plan will also see provision being made for a fire engine, as well as a team to be on standby at a designated fire station for the duration of the event, should the need arise for its deployment,” said Beart.

“The cost of this is astronomical. The drafting of the plan is estimated as a minimum of R32 000 while the standby team and resources are more than R100 000.
“We simply don’t have access to that amount of money and even if we did, I would rather spend it on toys. We, therefore, have had no choice but to cancel the event and rather use the opportunity to re-evaluate its format.

“Our sole purpose is to collect the maximum amount of toys to the benefit of children in need. Witnessing the mass ride was a sight to behold and it stirred up so many emotions, however, that is only one element of the day.”

Drop-off points
While toy collection points have not yet been finalised, Beart says he hopes the new format will encourage wider community support while prompting motorcycle clubs to think outside the box to arrange their runs.

“We have earmarked the entire month of November as Toy Run month,” said Beart, his smile an indication that he is a man with a plan.

“We are in talks with malls and casinos to create drop-off points and perhaps offer some entertainment to encourage riders to visit their facilities.
“Schools, churches, corporates and social clubs are also invited to do collections.”

Speaking of the additional impact that the cancellation of the event will have, Beart says vendors who formed part of the market are now losing out on the opportunity to grow their business and boost revenue.

“Having a market event cancelled is a blow to any small business. It breaks my heart knowing we let these vendors down,” he said.
“I hope that anyone planning smaller Toy Run collections will look at incorporating markets at their events.”

Beart shared some ideas on how to get involved, saying schools could host their own bike runs.
“Kids could decorate their bikes with toys, complete a ride around the track and then make a donation,” he said.

“Local bike clubs could also offer talks at schools about road and bike safety. There is so much that can be done.”

For more information about how you can get involved contact Pete on 063 689 3700 or email petebeart@gmail.com

The Benoni City Times has sent a request for comment to the CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, but none had been received at the time of publication.

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