Shieldy shines on Sunraysia toy run
- deansimpson7
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
BY LERISSE SMITH
Shiny leather jackets glistened in the sun as the roar of revving motorcycle engines echoed through the streets of Victoria’s Sunraysia region, marking the arrival of the much-loved annual Motorcycle Riders Association (MRA)-Ulysses Sunraysia Toy Run.
Generosity flowed as freely as the engines, with around $3500 raised across the day for the Salvos Christmas Cheer program through toy donations and financial gifts, including $1800 from donations and a barbecue.
“It was a great success – every little bit counts,” said Lieutenant Shaun Featherston, Corps Officer of Sunraysia.
“A lot of the public came out to support, which was great to see. We had Shieldy (The Salvation Army’s mascot) connecting with the community, and even one of the volunteers ended up getting roped in to being dressed up as Santa. So, it was a good day.”
A few hundred local community members cheered the riders as they travelled along the route, starting from Mildura Central car park and passing through scenic locations such as Red Cliffs, Buronga, Dareton, Wentworth and Merbein, before concluding at the Langtree Mall – the heart of Mildura.
Bikes and backpacks filled fast, stillages stacked high, and the true scale of community kindness became visible, with around two and a half stillages packed solid with toys destined for children and families who might otherwise go without this Christmas.
And the need is great.
Beneath the celebration of the toy run, which has run for more than 10 years, lies a sobering reality: demand for material aid is climbing sharply compared to previous years.
Shaun said the corps team was seeing nearly double the number of people seeking help due to rising living costs and food prices.
“The age of people has dramatically decreased. You are looking at people in their 30s with kids. Some of those might have mortgages, some have a couple of jobs trying to make ends meet, and they are just not able to.”
The scale of need this Christmas cannot be understated.
Already, around 660 individuals are receiving through the Christmas Cheer program from over 175 family units ... and counting.
“We are still getting people coming in and seeing us,” he emphasised. “We will continue having people coming in to see us right through the festive period.”
Strong partnerships have proved vital, with the ongoing collaboration with MRA-Ulysses forming a backbone for the toy run’s success. As the corps officers, Kim and Shaun Featherston welcome partnerships within the community.
“We need to build partnerships to advance our mission and provide hope for our community. So, teamwork is key,” reflected Shaun.
“Instead of us doing something that somebody else is doing, it makes sense for us not to do something similar! So, this (the toy run) is just a perfect fit for a working community partnership.
The anticipation is also building for the largest Christmas Day lunch yet, which is expected to feed more than 150-200 people, with even more likely to arrive on the day.
“Fortunately, people will see the Salvos as a safe space,” remarked Shaun. “For many, Christmas means no family, no hope. But they come into our space with community, with family – and with hope.”
Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the Sunraysia Toy Run:
