Inaugural Christmas toy run kicks off
Phillip Island’s first charity Christmas toy run will be held on December 11.
Phillip Island’s first charity Christmas toy run will be held on December 11, with a call-out for donations for presents for families doing it tough.
Cowes parents Sam and Jason Hampstead – who run Dead4Eva in Cowes – are organising the run, which will see a cavalcade of motorbikes depart their Thompson Ave store at 9.30am on the day, travel to Tooradin, before heading back to the Phillip Island Baptist Church at 12.30pm, where toys will be delivered.
“Santa will also be there handing out lollies so families are encouraged to come to the church on the day,” said Sam, a mother of seven.
The toys can be collected from the church on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th.
Parents who are under financial pressure this festive season are encouraged to apply for vouchers through schools, the early learning centre, kinders, and Dead4Eva, which will allow one toy per child.
Sam said presents can be donated for ages 0-17 (gift cards are an ideal present for teens, she adds) and can be dropped off at Dead4Eva or the Baptist Church.
“We don’t want people to feel embarrassed about getting help so we’ve organised the voucher system,” said the 46-year-old from Wimbledon Heights.
Sam and Jason know all too well the financial pressures on families these days.
In 2018 Sam was working four jobs to pay the bills when she had a medical emergency and was so sick she couldn’t work.
“I’ve been a recipient of toys from St Vinnies. I’ve never not worked but I was so sick and Jason was struggling, so I had to go to PICAL and St Vinnie’s for help and they rocked up at my door with toys for Christmas.
“I felt embarrassed but we were so grateful.”
Jason, too, has had a tough few years, setting up the shop in 2016 from a payout from the army after he was seriously injured. He even named the shop after his fellow veterans who suffered mental health issues.
Toy runs
Sam says toy runs are a tradition around Australia, where motorcyclists deliver toys for kids following a joy ride.
Jason owns a Suzuki Boulevard and he and Sam even took part in a toy ride in 2016 with the renowned social justice campaigner Father Bob.
Unfortunately Sam once also rode but has had to stop riding motorbikes after being diagnosed with epilepsy.
Sam added Baptist Church pastor Simon Schwartz was also a keen motorbike rider
“Since Covid most toy rides have stopped, so a couple of months ago I had the idea to start one for the first time on the island.
“Working in the shop a lot of kids come in and talk to us and locals would be amazed how many children on Phillip Island are in foster care.”
School, kinders or ELC will be distributing toy vouchers on an as needed basis. You can also collect a voucher from Dead4eva Designs in Cowes. Medicare card and voucher will need to be presented to collect toys. One toy per child listed on Medicare Card.
