The homeless and community members in need will be a little warmer this winter thanks to support from the Crossroads Biker Church blanket run.
Now in its fourth year, the annual blanket run helps ensure disadvantaged locals will have a new blanket, sleeping bag or hoodie to keep them from the winter chill.
Organiser RayRay Collins said the church held two events every year including the blanket run and grub in to help support the local community.
“It’s not so much about just blankets but also donations of hoodies, jumpers and beanies too,” RayRay said.
“One bloke turned up this morning with a truck load and just dropped it off.
“Riders come from as far south as Bellingen and I reckon there will be at least 100 riders here today.
“The community loves this and they support it heavily which is just great to see.”
Crossroads Biker Church chairman Scotty Hudson has been involved in the blanket runs since it started.
He said the initiative began when the church was looking to help a local charity, such as the Dorcas Soup Kitchen.
“We had a desire to help out a community charity rather than try to start up a new one,” he said.
“Bikers have been doing this sort of stuff for decades, it is something we love doing, helping somebody else and going for a ride in support.”
Scotty said about 10 clubs took part in this year’s Crossroads Biker Church blanket run with close to 100 individual riders all donating to the cause.
“This is always good to get people together as there is a lot of stuff going on in people’s heads,” he said.
“We like to help support and encourage one another, and mostly, today is about supporting our community and the homeless.”
President of Capricornia Coast Vietnam Veterans Terry Berrick, 75, and his partner Lola Coe have been participating in the blanket run for years.
“Lola does a lot of work for the homeless and so we know a bit about this event,” Terry said.
“If the homeless can get a few dollars from today or a blanket to sleep outside with, that makes a difference.”
Lola said as the Bundaberg Region heads into winter many people needed a helping hand.
“It’s getting quite cold along the river front, under the park benches or in the hedges, and there is someone always needing a blanket,” she said.
“So, this is very important to us.”
Crossroads Bikers Church operates on the fourth Sunday of the month at Sims Road, Walkervale.
The Crossroads Biker Church blanket run was held at Christ Church Anglican Church and the Dorcas Soup Kitchen on Woongarra Street on Saturday.
For more information check out their Facebook page.
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