Santa pays an early visit to Broome in support of annual Toy Run

Santa Claus is set to make an early appearance in Broome as the community gets ready for the Roebuck Riders’ annual Toy Run.

Departing from Cable Beach on Saturday, August 31, the Roebuck Riders and many other community members and groups will ride through the town and drop off toys to the Broome Youth and Families Hub Drop-In Centre. Along with the Men’s Shed, the local fire brigade and Broome police, joining them on the ride this year will be Shire of Broome councillor Chris Mitchell and Shire president Harold Tracey.

Roebuck Riders’ Andy Bubb said all would be welcome to take part in the Toy Run and would need to meet at the Zanders carpark by 9:15am for a briefing before departing at 9:30am sharp. “We want everyone to bring toys that are unwrapped and fresh off the store shelves instead of secondhand to keep that sort of Christmas-like feel,” he said. “The reason why we go earlier than December is because the bikes get too hot in the wet season and because in the wet season we’d have to go pretty early in the morning when half the town isn’t awake.”

Mr Bubb said the spectacle of many bikes and other vehicles riding around town usually stopped people in their tracks.

“It’s good to see a large group of us riding around town for a nice cause, especially when some of the blokes bring bikes you’ve never seen before,” he said.

“It’s all about bringing the community together and putting a smile on the kids’ faces.”