By Dave Abrahams
Each year dozens of underfunded churches approach Cape Town Charity Toy Run convenor Rodney Ford asking for toys for their crèches, day care centres and outreach groups – which is why the Toy Run exists in the first place, and he is happy to help.
But one church in Bellville does it the other way round.
The children of the Dunrobin New Apostolic Church had been collecting toys for weeks, some bought with their pocket money and many donated from their own toyboxes, and on Sunday they invited Ford – and all riders – to attend their second annual Bikers' Services.
Bishop Stephen Smith took as his text Psalm 66, verse 5, "Come and see the works of God", drawing a comparison between the launch of a new bike, where a few prospective buyers are invited to "come and see", and an occasion such as this, an outpouring of love and charity in His name where nobody needs a VIP ticket to get in.
And after the service it was the children who crowded round the leather-clad riders, visually intimidating in the modern heraldry of their rally badges and club patches, to thrust toys at them, help them fasten the toys to their bikes and, in at least one lump-in-the-throat moment, enjoin a rider to give an obviously beloved soft toy to "somebody who really needs it".
Perhaps that pre-schooler had a clearer perception than some adults of why we have a Toy Run – and all riders are invited to be a part of that on Sunday, November 29
Join the Cape Town Toy Run from Ottery Hypermarket at 9am and from Ratanga Junction at Century City at 9.15.
If you don't have a bike, come and see Cape Town's biggest procession of the year; grab a spot in the shade along the Kromboom Parkway or Union Avenue as thousands of riders, their bikes festooned with toys, shout out on behalf of the lost children who cannot speak for themselves.
Then join the riders at Maynardville for the biker party of the year, with loud music, loud bikes, loud bikers, beers and good grub, all the latest bikes on display and stalls selling everything from jewellery and leatherwear to Toy Run badges and T-shirts.